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4) Harlem Free Public Wi-Fi Network
Following the deployment of the Harlem Free Public Wi-Fi Network, which provides Wi-Fi access to approximately
80,000 residents across 95 city blocks, New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
(DoITT) solicited proposals from various industry experts to conduct a comprehensive network assessment. Project
scope:

• A physical site survey to measure the true coverage area and equipment performance.
• Assessment of existing bandwidth and opportunities for expansion.

• Recommendations for improving service and identification of new locations on which to mount additional access
points.
• Review and analysis of network hardware and software, including the network management tool.

• Recommendations to upgrade the network to increase user speeds to at least 25 Mbps.
DoITT set out to conduct a comprehensive network assessment to ensure that a significant public/private investment in
Wi-Fi is fully and efficiently implemented to deliver the best possible service to the public and to make
recommendations as to how it can be improved. Recommendations made pursuant to the assessment will help inform
decisions that DoITT will make with regards to potentially upgrading the network to improve speeds and/or expand
the coverage area. DoITT also analyzed the results of the “pilot” assessment to help determine if it should conduct
similar network assessments on existing incumbent Wi-Fi networks and their providers.
The entities involved in these projects were Silicon Harlem & Kalpesh Wireless.

Silicon Harlem is a technology and advocacy group focused on advancing broadband services in Harlem. With their
technical experience and close relationship to the community, Silicon Harlem is uniquely qualified to perform an
assessment evaluating the efficacy of the network and its community impact.

Kalpesh Wireless is a market leader in municipal and private Wi-Fi networks and assisted Silicon Harlem in conducting
the assessment.
To test the propagation of the Wi-Fi signal and coverage area, Silicon Harlem measured the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
The network assessment provides insight into the performance of the Wi-Fi network (and vendor) to ensure that the
public receives a quality Wi-Fi experience. Results of the assessment can identify network deficiencies and credibility
issues which may necessitate a plan to mitigate the issues. The findings and conclusions from the comprehensive
network assessment will help the city to make informed decisions with respect to the allocation of resources for future
wireless deployments.

No major challenges were encountered. The solicitation of vendors to perform the assessment and the project itself
was performed professionally and expeditiously and yielded good results.

DoITT distributed a clearly defined solicitation stating the project’s goals and scope of work to a host of highly
qualified vendors. The responses received were very impressive and demonstrated a wealth of skilled vendors capable
of performing the services. The selection of the “right” vendor for the particular project is essential to deliver the
desired result.
The Harlem Free Public Wi-Fi network assessment identified shortcomings in the network such as in many locations
the throughput fell below the minimum 2 Mbps threshold. Recommendations to achieve user speeds of at least 2 Mbps
included adding additional strategically-placed gateways and access points as well as upgrading from a 35/5 backhaul
connection to a 300/20 connection. Further recommendations to achieve significantly higher user speeds of at least 25

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