Network growth History & Projections through 2018
AR Designs was a trailblazer developing the first Wi-Fi broadband community network solution for an under served affordable urban community. Under partnership with The Community Builders, Inc., AR Designs designed, sourced, built and launched 'OakNet' for Oakwood Shores phase 1 (pictured right). Deployed in 2004, it was a first--an all Wi-Fi wireless broadband community network for an affordable/low-income urban community.
Circa 2004
Oakwood Shores was established and expanded through 3 construction phases across two square miles.
AR Designs expanded Oaknet's footprint in lock step with its expanded community of users:
- establishing 2 networks, one secured for office workers; one public for community residents
- establishing first community network operations center
- 40 foot high true mesh grid network software deployment
- 6 times better speed than standard internet
- 20 times better throughput than standard internet
- networking standard upgrade
- network portal creation
- security layer
Original Phase 1 Footprint 2004
Oakwood Shores footprint expanded through 2 construction phases, (right) culminating with 1 Mid-Rise building (below)
Circa 2009
AR Designs expanded Oaknet's footprint in lock step with its expanded community of users:
- 40 foot high mesh grid upgrade to deployment of 90 foot high mesh canopy
- network operations center upgraded and moved to NEMA compliant facilities
- 4 times better speed
- 4 times better throughput
- network equipment upgrades
- networking standard upgrade
- network portal creation and network integration
- system network managment and monitoring integration
- security layer upgrades
Footprint Through 3 Construction Phases 2009
Oakwood Shores footprint expanded through 3 construction phases, culminating with 2 Mid-Rise buildings, a Senior Facility, a Recreation Center, Major Medical Clinic and Pharmacy.
Circa 2013
AR Designs expanded Oaknet's footprint in lock step with its expanded community of users:
- 4 times better speed
- 4 times better throughput
- 2 major network equipment upgrades
- wholescale networking standard upgrade
- portal upgrades and integration with REMS and Tempest technology
- cross-platform/cross system network managment and monitoring integration
- addition of utilities
- VPN security
Projected Reach of Fooprint Through 5 Phases By End of 2013
AR Designs has partnered with Windstream Communications to pull fiber to the Oakwood Shores campus and to extend the reach of our network to three other neighborhoods in Bronzeville and Washington Park. AR Designs also has partnered with IBM to develop a community portal for the userbase which will further promote adoption (digital literacy skills, job training, networking).
End of 2018
Projected Reach of Oaknet Through 2018: 9 Phases Completed