VeriLAN Inc. this week announced that it has secured private placement investment to bolster its efforts to provide wireless services to cities nationwide. With this new financial backing, VeriLAN, under its Digital Cities initiative, submitted a request for proposal to the city of Long Beach, Calif., to deploy, operate, maintain and own a citywide Wireless Fidelity Network.
"We believe that our business model and the strength of our partners will allow for a superior system should we secure the California engagement," says Clive Cook, CEO of VeriLAN. VeriLAN's Digital Cities initiative brings together the leading companies in the nation to provide comprehensive wireless services to municipalities, including Cisco Systems, SAIC, ACS, Parson's Group and Electric Lightwave, among others.
VeriLAN is the incumbent network service provider in Portland, and is a finalist to provide wholesale Wi-Fi and WiMax services to Portland under the "Unwire Portland" project.
"Our ability to raise a quick and substantial private round of funding speaks to the high regard for the stability of our model and commitment of our team to address civic needs in places such as Portland and Long Beach," Cook said.
VeriLAN's bid for the municipal wireless contract in Portland, the company's home town, will bring $9.4 to $14.3 million to Portland Public Schools over five years. The company hopes to produce the same economic and social benefits to residents and businesses in Long Beach, a city similar in size to Portland.
VeriLAN owns and operates a municipal wireless network in Portland, and has designed, deployed or maintained municipal networks in Vancouver, Wash.; Federal Way, Wash.; and Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. For more information about VeriLAN, visit www.verilan.net
