Oceanside Action Partnership's team of volunteers tasked with finding ways to improve cell reception continues on its path to bring better mobile connectivity in Oceanside.
While the initial work was concentrated on developing a better understanding of what kind of technology mix would work best for Oceanside, most current efforts were directed at moving towards understanding how much each one of the potential solutions might cost.
All of the project tracks taken resulted in a good amount of progress over the past few weeks:
A quote for an RF (radio frequency) Study was received from a firm specializing in setting up and running private wireless and 5G Wi-Fi networks. Such a Study is a pre-requisite for the firm's creation of network design and ready-to-sign equipment/services contract.
The RF Study proposal was presented to the team in a Microsoft Team's call, questions were asked and answered.
A local (Tillamook) wireless Wi-Fi network provider was engaged in discussions about feasibility of a public Wi-Fi in Oceanside.
The owner of the company sounds optimistic, currently working on creating a quote for such a network, and promises to deliver the quote soon.
The effort to pull in cellular service to Oceanside's "dead zones" through a technology partner that builds cell towers and rents those to the carriers continues.
Project "Oceanside" passed the firm's initial milestone - management approval to allocate funds for the project's due diligence. An external consultant, initial "boots on the ground", was retained by the firm (at the firm's expense) to do the review.
"Starlink for emergency communications" project discussions had been on hold pending OAP's 501c3 approval by the IRS. Once the approval is received, the team will put together a comprehensive proposal and budget ("what is it, how does it work, who will be involved and how, how much will it cost") for the OAP's Board review and approval to seek out funding.
That's all for the mid-March update. Stay tuned!
Yuriy Chanba, Cell Reception Team Coordinator
