#United States #Juneau #Northriver IT #Wi-Fi network

Transforming Connectivity in Juneau

Every summer, the streets of Juneau, Alaska, come alive as the cruise season attracts a staggering influx of tourists. Up to 16,000 visitors pour into the town each day, all eager to connect to their phones and share their experiences. However, this surge in demand often overwhelmed the existing cellular networks, leading to connectivity failures that plagued point-of-sale systems, parking kiosks, and even basic phone calls. The downtown library became an unexpected refuge for those seeking a reliable Wi-Fi signal, drawing crowds desperate for connectivity.

In light of these challenges, city officials found themselves at a crossroads. Traditional carriers failed to provide a viable solution, compelling the City and Borough of Juneau to take matters into their own hands. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, they turned to Northriver IT, a well-regarded managed services provider specializing in secure networking and cloud solutions. Their goal was ambitious yet clear: to establish a managed public Wi-Fi network that could sustain the overwhelming demand of summer tourists.

By leveraging the advanced capabilities of Cambium Networks' ONE Network platform, Northriver IT devised a high-density outdoor Wi-Fi 6 network. This innovative setup relied on 60 GHz wireless backhaul, a strategic choice that bypassed the extensive fiber trenching that would have been necessary due to Juneau’s rugged terrain of mountains and docks. Remarkably, the core infrastructure was operational within a mere 45 days.

Since its deployment, the network has successfully offloaded between twenty to thirty terabytes of cellular traffic, serving over 103,000 unique users during a single peak 30-day stretch—this is an impressive figure considering it’s three times more than Juneau's year-round population. As Chris Murray, IT Director of the City and Borough of Juneau, noted, the situation was dire before the network was activated, as users frequently experienced either no signal or painfully slow service during peak tourist periods.

Northriver IT emphasized ease of connectivity as a key design principle. With the implementation of Passpoint 2.0 authentication, visitors could automatically connect without the hassle of entering passwords—this feature was crucial in ensuring the network’s success and user satisfaction.

Chaz Hager, a representative from Northriver IT, articulated their approach: "We built this the way we build every network: solving the real problem first, then stepping back so Juneau's team can focus on their other responsibilities without the daily burden of managing Wi-Fi." This strategic philosophy proved effective, as complaints during the peak season vanished.

The network is now strategically scheduled for seasonal operation and is remotely managed by Northriver IT, eliminating the need for daily involvement from city staff. As the success of this system continues to unfold, Juneau is already exploring options to extend Wi-Fi coverage to additional waterfront zones, ensuring that the connectivity issues faced in the past are now relics of a bygone era.

In summary, this transformation in Juneau's connectivity is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and effective technology solutions, even under pressing circumstances. Residents and visitors alike can now enjoy seamless internet access in the heart of Alaska’s bustling cruise season, thanks to the dedicated efforts of a small but mighty IT team.

About Northriver IT

Northriver IT stands as a leader in managed services, focused on providing reliable and secure networking solutions. With 20 years of experience, they are committed to supporting the technological needs of diverse organizations through tailored strategies that foster long-term success. For more information, visit www.northriverit.com.