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Media Contact:
Lorri-Ann Carter
CarterTodd & Associates, Inc.
803.779.4005
la@cartertodd.com

EngenuitySC in Collaboration with USC, The City of Columbia, The Vista Guild, VC3, Conterra and Cisco, Unveil Columbia's First Public WiFi Hot Spot in the Vista

Columbia, SC January 5, 2004 The Columbia Regional Technology Council, newly branded as EngenuitySC, announces Columbia's first planned public WiFi hot spot along the Lincoln corridor between Lady and Senate streets in the Vista. The unveiling will take place, Thursday, January 8 at 2 p.m. in front of the Blue Marlin at the corner of Gervais and Lincoln Streets. Mayor Bob Coble will give remarks along with Dr. Andrew Sorensen of USC and other community leaders. Columbia-based technology companies will demonstrate different WiFi devices, and distribute information on the benefits and usage of WiFi. For more information, please contact Lorri-Ann Carter at CarterTodd & Associates, 779-4005.

• The Vista hot spot is a specially equipped location where patrons can log on to the Internet or check e-mail messages using a laptop computer, PDA, or other WiFi enabled devices, without having to plug into a mobile or traditional telephone.
• Internet and email access to this hot spot is free.
• The Vista WiFi initiative is a project of EngenuitySC and is made possible by a joint collaboration of USC and the City of Columbia.
• The Vista Guild also played an important role in the establishment of the location.
• The Vista hot spot was built and co-sponsored through the collaboration and sponsorship of three Columbia-based technology companies:
  • VC3- a Columbia based systems integrator provided planning and will manage the hot spot.
  • Conterra- a Columbia based wireless broadband company provides the high-speed link to the Internet.
  • Cisco- its Columbia based office provided antennas and equipment required for the project.

"The Vista hot spot is another example of how we're moving forward with our Regional Technology plan," said Mayor Bob Coble. "The newly branded EngenuitySC, was created to execute the Regional Technology Plan. EngenuitySC supports the growth of knowledge-based businesses through initiatives in three focus areas, including developing sources of investment capital, creating a business environment that supports entrepreneurship, and connecting business to higher education and research. Our ultimate goal for the WiFi initiative is to attract private WiFi companies into Columbia, providing broad access to all citizens driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. We plan to launch two additional public hot spots in 2004."

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