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OneCommunity (formerly OneCleveland) is a nonprofit organization that serves public and nonprofit organizations (educational organizations, research institutions, local and regional governments, healthcare organizations, arts and cultural institutions) in Northeast Ohio by providing connections to its fiber network, and other networking and technology applications services, such as e-health and e-education programs. The network was founded by a partnership of public, private, government and educational institutions, including: Case Western Reserve University, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland State University, the City of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, ideastream (WVIZ & WCPN), Cuyahoga County Public Library, and NorTech.
OneCommunity doesn't directly provide Internet connectivity to individuals or businesses. But, it has mounted a one-year pilot project offering free Wi-Fi within a five square mile area of Cleveland. Its business model is doing well: OneCommunity has been seeing an up to 50% return on investment (ROI) on Internet connectivity. And, OneCommunity’s mission goes beyond simply providing connectively, to a wider social focus. For example, the organization enlisted volunteers to help people find their unclaimed tax refunds. In 90 days they located over $3 million in unclaimed funds.
Learn More:
OneCommunity
http://www.onecleveland.org/
A Network of Innovation and Growth. Harvard University, JFK School of Government. 2006. http://www.onecleveland.org/about/about.aspx?id=50
Building a Sustainable Broadband Economy in Northeast Ohio. OneCommunity and NorTech. For the Intelligent Community Forum. April 28, 2006. www.onecleveland.org/uploadedFiles/About_Us/ICF%20white%20paper%20final%...
OneCommunity’s Success Makes it a Model for All Digital Communities. Cisco Systems. www.cisco.com/web/about/ac79/docs/wp/OneCommunity_CS_0908.pdf
Building a Wireless OneCommunity. Adam Stone. Wi-Fi Planet. October 9, 2006.
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/3636131
