Cisco joins partnership to introduce outdoor Wi-Fi mesh network in Cleveland

A new public-private partnership to introduce free outdoor Wi-Fi mesh services to neighbourhoods in Cleveland, in the US, has been announced by Cisco Systems Inc (Cisco) (Nasdaq:CSCO), a supplier of networking equipment & network management, and OneCommunity, a non-profit organisation.

Cisco said the mesh network will provide a 'digital bridge' for residents, enabling them to access education, job placements, healthcare and government services online.

The company is working with OneCommunity, Time Warner and Sprint to establish the network, which will allow residents, organisations and businesses to access the Internet and use OneCommunity's services, free of charge.

OneCommunity is working with local universities, libraries, hospitals and churches to provide an on-ramp to the project for those without computers. It claimed the network will provide access to new services, such as remote healthcare management, which will have a positive and quick effect on the local community.