The Ocala Fiber Network has been nominated for a national award.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) Smart Cities Competition evaluates cities across the nation that are “embracing new technologies and services” into the fabric of their institutions.
The competition is in its fourth installment and has selected finalists in 11 different categories.
Ocala is nominated in the area of Digital Equity and Accessibility, which evaluates public WiFi access, accessibility services, and ADA compliance in the city.
According to the competition entry, OFN has 1,800 customers and over 750 miles of overhead and underground fiber.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, OFN helped the county’s rural schools with distance learning, especially for families who did not have high-speed internet access” through the installation of outdoor WiFi access points at ten different schools. Those points provided free internet access so that homework could be downloaded and uploaded from the parking lot.
The city’s fiber network is pitted against the Dallas Independent School District’s Internet for All Coalition’s Operation Connectivity Initiative. That initiative is aimed at providing every household in Dallas County with access to high speed internet.
Voting is open through this Friday, July 2.