Overview
The Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RI-WINs)—BIF's effort to make Rhode Island the first state in the country with a border-to-border, broadband wireless network—is transforming Rhode Island into a real-world laboratory for testing new ways to deliver value to patients, students, customers and citizens.
Our history is humble. RI-WINs began in 2004 as a simple idea when founding partner Bob Panoff, of RPM, began to explore with the BIF how to use Rhode Island as a test bed for pushing the limits of wireless technology and exploring the possibilities of public/private partnership.
RI-WINs has received international headlines for its rapid success, unique public-private partnership model, and emphasis on innovation and cross-sector/cross-industry collaboration. Today, RI-WINs is operational in two geographies, testing a suite of novel wireless applications, and gearing up for statewide roll-out.
In This Section
History and Mission
RI-WINs was launched in 2005 by the Business Innovation Factory to create a statewide, border-to-border, wireless broadband network that breaks down barriers to innovation, improves interoperability among new products and technologies, and establishes Rhode Island as an ideal place to explore and test new business models. [ history and mission continued ]
Technology
The RI-WINs pilot network will consist of two service clusters with at least one Navini WI-Max base station in each. User connectivity will be provisioned either through Navini PCM cards that are installed in the users laptop, tablet or handheld computers, or through a bridge that connects on 802.11 WI-FI hot spot to the WI-Max network. [ technology continued ]
Partners
RI-WINs pilot participants, a public/private partnership, includes Atrion Networking Corporation, Brown University, Cox Communications and Cox Business Services, CVS/Pharmacy, the Ocean State Higher Education Economic Development and Administrative Network (OSHEAN), and more. [ partners continued ]
Headlines
News and updates about RI-WINs. Recent headlines include: "RI-WINs Boosts Rhode Island's Ranking for Wireless Investment," "BIF Extends Wireless Pilot Project," and "RI-WINs Meets the 'Geeks'." [ headlines continued ]