Wireless Woodstock is a free broadband internet connection provided by the Norman Williams Public Library. Launched as a beta version in the middle of last summer, the original setup included four “access points” that provided a WiFi signal to a select area in the center of the business district. Nine community members from various local constituencies determined the parameters of the service and directed the design and content of a website, wirelesswoodstock.org, to which users of the internet service are directed.

Organizers have since measured the use and taken feedback regarding use of the service. The usage was better than expected as the system served an average of 400 unique users per month, many of whom use the service over a dozen times. But while the overall sentiment was appreciation and enthusiasm, some challenges arose. Committee members Larry Perry and Townsend Belisle received periodic reports that users could not connect, or were bounced off of the signal.

“Most of the problematic experiences were due to the user being on the fringe or outside the actual signal area. Others were just not informed on how to get on it,” noted Belisle, the originator of the idea. The signal was limited to an area covering the far East end of the Green and the intersections of Central and Elm streets.

An anonymous donation allowed the organizers to bring in a consultant to assess the existing system and to improve it in time for the Woodstock Digital Media Festival, held at the beginning of June. The consultant, Summit Technologies of Williston Vt., found that the existing system could be further optimized before expansion. “Our repeaters were installed too high. They could talk to one another but should be altered to provide much better for service on the ground,” said Belisle. “David [McGowan] brought the Festival to town partially because we had signal. So we were motivated to have it in place for his team.”

The existing access points were given directional antennas that allows the signal to be aimed downward without compromising the approved locations of the repeaters. Another repeater was added to on the Green. “We immediately experienced as much as a 50% improvement in the signal strength,” said Jack McGuire, Chairman of the Library. “With this modest enhancement, users will notice a significantly better signal.”

WiFi seekers will now find signal from the Eastern half of the Green all the way down Central street to the Post Office, and down Elm Street to the Village Butcher. The signal picks up again around the Fire and Police Station. This is because another access point was added at the East of town, originating from Woodstock Home and Hardware. “Check out the cars parked across Route 4 and in the Pizza Chef parking lot,” added McGuire. “Its working well.”

Of their summer plans, the organizers will soon provide simple signage to increase awareness of the service. They also expect to provide fact sheets at the Library and in other locations so challenged users can learn how to connect. “People need to ‘authenticate’ once their computer, phone or iPad connects,” Belisle clarified. “This requires opening up an internet browser, like Safari, Firefox or Explorer, and agreeing to our terms of service. Unless you do this, you cannot actually access the web or email.”

Finally, further expansion is expected in July and August. “Several local businesses have pledged to support us, and with those funds we will add service to several areas,” said McGuire. “We hope to make those announcements soon.” Comments and questions regarding the service can be directed to team@wirelesswoodstock.org.

Initial Phase Two elements are expected to be completed in time for the annual Wassail Weekend and include the installation of additional access points, increasing the wireless coverage area by 40%, and the launch of the Wireless Woodstock home page.

The Norman Williams Public Library board has named a diverse ten-person oversight committee with members representing different segments of the Woodstock community. At their last meeting, committee members approved the content and layout of the Wireless Woodstock website, which will include valuable information and resources for both locals and visitors.

The homepage will showcase current events, entertainment, and things to do, as well as places to eat, shop, and stay. The Vermont Standard will provide ongoing updates of local news, and the homepage will also provide a venue for local officials to post information such as school closings or traffic alerts. Links to additional resources will provide important information to visitors, such as the location of the public rest rooms, as well as more detailed information for those interested in relocating their family or business to Woodstock.

“Our goal is to make the Wireless Woodstock home page a virtual “Town Crier” for Woodstock” said Townsend Belisle, who originally conceived the village-wide wifi service.

And the word on Wireless Woodstock is getting out. Over the warmer months it was common to see someone on a bench on The Green checking email. Now that cooler weather is here, more often you’ll find the occupant of a car parked by The Green working on a laptop or iPad. A guest at a local inn emailed Wireless Woodstock and expressed delight at being able to access the community wifi service, and a Barnard resident reports regular trips to Woodstock to take advantage of free broadband internet, as her work requires her to regularly download large files, a near impossibility on her dial-up connection.

Wireless Woodstock has also piqued the interest of several other Vermont libraries interested in developing similar initiatives. Representatives of those libraries and the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project are meeting in Woodstock on December 6th to better understand the Wireless Woodstock model.

In addition to the more obvious benefits of free wireless internet access, Wireless Woodstock also has the ability to change perceptions. A part-time Woodstock resident of more than 10 years mentioned that when her family made their frequent visits Woodstock, her children would tell their friends that they were “…going to Amish country.” Wireless Woodstock turns that notion on its head and makes a statement about the community’s vision. To a motorist traveling through Woodstock, an alert on their smartphone notifying them of a free wifi connection informs them that Woodstock is even more than the Prettiest Town in America. It’s a savvy, forward-thinking place, a great place to live, raise a family, and start or move a business.

The one-time cost to build free wireless internet service to most of Woodstock Village is $35,000, an investment that will reap returns for years to come. The ongoing maintenance cost is minimal and will be paid for by paid sponsorship recognition on the Wireless Woodstock website.

One of Wireless Woodstock’s goals is to make this a community-supported service, and as such the oversight committee is limiting its request for financial support to local businesses and individuals through December 31, 2010.

If sufficient funds are not raised locally by that time, the group will look to foundation and corporate support. “The oversight committee feels that Wireless Woodstock, particularly with the demographic profile of the audience it serves, will be attractive to a large regional or national company, but we hope we can support this entirely from the community” said Wireless Woodstock committee member Larry Perry. All donations are tax deductible through the Norman Williams Public Library.

Donors will be acknowledged on the Wireless Woodstock website. Pledges of support can be made at the Norman Williams Public Library or emailing the Wireless Woodstock oversight committee at team@wirelesswoodstock.info.

Dear Family, Friends, Fans and Visitors of Woodstock,

Wireless Woodstock is one of the most innovative and valuable social, cultural and economic development programs in Vermont – and one of the first community supported free wireless internet access (“WiFi”) services in the US. We are asking for your support.

The Norman Williams Library successfully launched phase one of Wireless Woodstock four months ago. In this initial phase, we have provided free wireless internet to most of The Green and the central business district by installing four access points.

Along with providing high-speed broadband internet access, Wireless Woodstock differentiates our community as a place that understands the need for connectivity. Wireless Woodstock can help drive our economic development and create a “buzz” that the Woodstock area is not only a great place to visit but also a great place to live, raise a family and establish a business.

Phase two will expand the service by adding additional access points, creating free wireless internet access for most of the Village, as well as a resourceful website that acts as a virtual “town crier,” offering valuable information daily to locals and visitors alike.

The one-time cost to build out free wireless internet service to most of Woodstock Village is $35,000, an investment that will reap returns for years to come. The ongoing maintenance cost is minimal and will be paid for by paid sponsorship recognition on the Wireless Woodstock website.

The Wireless Woodstock oversight committee is asking local individuals and businesses for financial support to complete Woodstock’s community WiFi service.

All donations are tax deductible through the Library. We welcome such donations now through December 31, 2010, after which we will seek any remaining funds needed through foundation and corporate support. Sponsorship of Woodstock’s free village-wide WiFi service will be attractive to a large regional or national company, but we prefer the sponsors be local individuals and businesses. We will acknowledge our family of donors on the website.

Please contact any of us or drop by the Norman Williams Public Library to pledge your support. You may email us collectively at team@wirelesswoodstock.info.

We are grateful for your consideration and look forward to your support.

With sincere regards,

Townsend Belisle 457-7140
Phil Camp 457-1313
Keri Cole 457-7159
Beth Finlayson 457-3555
Courtney Lowe 457-1100
Larry Perry 457-3291
Michael Ricci 457-2528
Corwin Sharp 457-1883
Debra Spackman 457-2295
Sudie Watson 457-2525

Please join the Wireless Woodstock Team at the Norman Williams Public Library on Monday, September 27 at 6:00pm for an update on the Village’s free wireless system. This is an opportunity to learn more, provide feedback on how it is working and hear about the planned expansion. A key part of the forum will include discussion of the system website, which will act very much like a “digital town crier.” The team hopes to gather everyone’s ideas regarding content.

If you have questions please call Debra at the NWPL at 457-2295 or Beth at the Chamber at 457-3555.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charlie Kimbell, 802-296-1276

“WIRELESS WOODSTOCK,” A FREE INTERNET WI-FI SERVICE, IS COMING TO WOODSTOCK, VERMONT.
Norman Williams Public Library to extend free Wi-Fi to cover the central business district in the Village of Woodstock.
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas to Attend Public Announcement on Wednesday, July 28th at 9:30am.

[Woodstock, VT] July 21, 2010. Governor Jim Douglas will join community organizers on Wednesday, July 28th at Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock to announce the introduction of a new, free, internet Wi-Fi service for the Village of Woodstock.

Wednesday’s launch of “Wireless Woodstock” is the culmination of more than six months of planning and preparation, initiated by Townsend Belisle of Haystack Digital, a creative consulting firm based in New York City with offices in Woodstock. Townsend will discuss the logistical and marketing aspects of providing a free, Wi-Fi service in Woodstock.

Jack McGuire, President of the Board of the Norman Williams Public Library, will talk about the motivation to provide WiFi services beyond the walls of the library into the community. The library will own and operate the system with financial support coming from individual donors and business sponsors on the landing page of the Wi-Fi service.

THE PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT:
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
9:30am
Norman Williams Public Library
10 South Park Street, On the Green
Woodstock, VT 05091

The internet connection itself will feed through the Norman Williams Public Library and send signal to three repeaters in the Village that will give WiFi coverage to most of the Green and over to the corner of Elm and Central Streets. We’ll measure the coverage and troubleshoot the system for some time before announcing the official launch, which we hope to schedule before August.

At launch we will have a proof-of-concept that will include coverage as described above and soon thereafter will include the system website, complete with up-to-the-minute information on Woodstock Vermont. We’ll then expand coverage as quickly as funding allows. To make your tax-deductible donations, please visit the Norman Williams Public Library or email Deb Spackman.

Keep an eye out in the Standard for further news.

Coverage should extend from the library, most of The Green, to the center of Elm and Pleasant streets.

Please feel free to comment on the service by sending an email to the pilot team at wirelesswoodstock@haystackneedle.com.  We welcome any critiques, comments, questions and/or donations.

Your tax-deductible donation to the system is warmly welcomed at the Norman Williams Public Library.

The project lead, Townsend Belisle, has noted that many questions will be addressed at the gathering – from concerns over access, maintenance, privacy or costs – to interest in advertising or extending the coverage area.  ”We’ve had all sorts of queries,” Belisle noted.  ”From ‘how many tax dollars will this take,’ (none, currently this is not a municipal system) to ‘how will this affect my cell phone service’ (not at all – cell phones use a different frequency range) to ‘does this compete with the ECFiber’ (it actually complements it).”

Belisle insists such a service is of equal interest to people who reside beyond the Village limits.  ”The system is highly flexible and can grow as fast and as large as the community demands,” he said. As one example, the coverage area is not fixed. Residents of the Town (at the edge of the Village signal) could extend the range by buying a repeater for around $100.  Neighbors could even go in on one device together.

But while there is an obvious benefit to locals who would appreciate having free, open and fast internet access, the primary purpose of Wireless Woodstock is to generate a deeper interest in the Woodstock area for potential and already-curious visitors.

“I’m most interested in using this system to promote both business development and long term economic development,” said Belisle. “When the word gets out that ‘Woodstock is wireless’ there is a sizable, interested audience that will take a deeper look at who we are and the many benefits of vacationing, living, or working here.  Especially the Bostonians and New Yorkers – who now experience the fact that they can do their work from almost anywhere – they almost expect it.”  He went further to say the software inherent in the system would enable the community to monitor and measure its use.

To date, the idea has the support of many local interest groups.  But quite simply, not everyone understands the technology or what they can do to assist.  Hence, the forum is intended to educate the extended community regarding the features, benefits and logistics of such a free, broadband connection.  But the organizers have stressed they’d also like a two-way conversation – to gauge interest, support or challenge from everyone – since such a system would provide service to hundreds of constituents.

“Any person who could ever consider using Wireless Woodstock – for business or pleasure – is encouraged to attend this event as such a system would directly or indirectly affect local interaction,” Belisle added. “Please join us.”