For the past two years, the City of Seattle has been working with telecom companies to expand 5G, reported Tech Talk. According to Mayor Bruce Harrell, the “One Seattle” project is advancing public-private partnerships and breaking down silos between eleven city departments to bridge the digital divide.
“Seattle is proud to be a global leader in technology and innovation, and this initiative ensures our residents can access the latest in wireless services,” said Harrell.
City staff across various departments are working to keep site use and permit reviews moving while ensuring that work follows design and engineering standards for public rights-of-way and private properties, reported Tech Talk. Harrell added that various other departments oversee projects, including water towers, parking garages, and the Seattle Center campus, to add the wireless infrastructure needed to enhance mobile services throughout the city.
At the nucleus of One Seattle is The Seattle Information Technology Department’s Wireless Affairs team, which serves as a hub to coordinate communications across City departments. One Seattle ensures wireless infrastructure deployment protects the public’s interests in safety and aesthetics while achieving equitable telecommunications service levels for residents, businesses, and visitors.
City of Seattle’s Interim Chief Technology Officer Jim Loter said of the project, “It’s a collective effort that requires a multitude of City departments, businesses, non-profits, community groups, and government partners.”
One of the City’s ongoing telecom partnerships is with T-Mobile. The carrier holds the namesake of The Seattle Mariners home (T-Mobile Park) and has collaborated with the City on various events. T-Mobile also provides free training to locals who are members of underrepresented populations through its NextTech program. The free training teaches the skills and provides the certifications needed to work in 5G network deployment jobs, reported Tech Talk.
After training comes jobs. T-Mobile’s NextTech program partner, the Learning Alliance, plans to launch in Seattle to help with training and job placement. “These careers provide high-skilled and high-wage employment toward financial self-sustainability for our local community,” said Cesar Ruiz, President and CEO of Learning Alliance Corporation.
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