Park Square goes Wireless
December 26, 2006

Brian McCauley / bmccauley@miconews.com Midwest Connections technician Brent Randel scales much of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office radio tower to install a small antenna Dec. 14, while co-worker Dusty Higginson watches from the ground. The antenna is providing free wireless Internet access to Paola’s Park Square.

Paola’s Park Square is host to a number of different people throughout the day, including dog walkers, joggers and now — Web surfers.

Midwest Connections of Paola recently installed a small antenna on the Miami County Sheriff’s Office tower, and the device is providing free wireless Internet service to the Square.

“We wanted to do something that would benefit the community and also help get the word out about our company,” said Rod Silver, president of Midwest Connections.

Perched high above Paola on the sheriff’s office tower at 118 S. Pearl St., a Midwest Connections technician installed the antenna on Dec. 14.

The antenna sends and receives data from the Internet users on the Square, and then sends a transmission to Midwest Connections at 105 Baptiste Drive, according to a news release.

The result is free Internet access for laptop computers, portable Sony PlayStations and any other wireless device.

Midwest Connections moved forward with the project after getting approval from the Paola Chamber of Commerce, city staff and the sheriff’s office.

For more information about how to access the wireless Internet or for detailed Square coverage maps, visit the Midwest Connections Web site at www.midwest-connections.com or call 1-866-715-3418.

Midwest Connections provides Internet service and satellite television throughout Miami County and also installs wireless security cameras, video-conferencing setups and Wi-Fi Internet zones.