“Building this wireless platform means that downtown Albany and Cohoes will be able to compete with larger cities for tech-savvy companies,” said Kevin O’Connor, CEO, Tech Valley Communications. “Through this grant program, ESDC’s support will transform Albany and Cohoes into ‘smart cities’ that can accommodate national and international high-tech companies looking for a state-of-the-art community to call home.”

"Programs such as the funding of "Wireless Communities" are helping to keep New York State at the forefront of business technology,” said Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation. “Under Governor Pataki’s leadership, New York State has become an attractive location for high tech companies looking to expand or grow thereby creating new jobs for our workforce."

TVC will provide wireless Internet access, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) technology and wireless disaster recovery services to downtown Albany and the City of Cohoes. The wireless network will be partially financed through a $200,000 Empire State Development 2005 Wireless Communities Grant and a $400,000 investment from TVC. It is estimated that more than 1,000 businesses in the targeted areas may be able to benefit from the new wireless network. The wireless Internet network is expected to be available as early as this Spring.

“This collaboration with Empire State Development and Tech Valley Communications is the first phase of my plan to make Albany a ‘smart-city,’ providing ubiquitous Internet access to as many city residents as we can, bridging the so called digital-divide that precludes the disadvantaged in the city from accessing the Internet,” said the Honorable Gerald Jennings, Mayor of the City of Albany. “This initiative also lays the foundation to build a disaster recovery network for vital municipal services.”

“The City of Cohoes is pleased to see Tech Valley Communications continue to invest in our great city,” said the Honorable John McDonald, Mayor of the City of Cohoes. “As we continue our efforts to revitalize Cohoes, services such as broadband Internet access for businesses, residents and public safety will be vital. This initiative is a critical building block for our city and we look to utilize this technology to benefit each and every resident.”

Currently, isolated “hotspots” exist within the cities of Albany and Cohoes where users can access wireless Internet services. However, there is no cohesive, reliable wireless Internet network that can serve businesses and individuals on a consistent and secure basis. As a result of this grant, TVC will provide a wireless Internet network supported through its FirstLight fiber-optic network. TVC’s FirstLight network will be used to feed the wireless system and will provide a secure platform with Gigabit capacity and reliable backup services in the event of a disaster.

In addition to providing wireless Internet to businesses of all sizes, this project has the added benefit of giving low-income residents of Albany and Cohoes access to high-speed Internet services that they may not otherwise be able to receive. Several low-income housing developments located in both Albany and Cohoes may be able to offer this technology to their residents.

For more information on the wireless Internet network or on the full range of services offered by Tech Valley Communications, log on to www.techvalleycom.com or call

518-598-0900.