First Citizens Fills WI-FI Void in Columbia
October 16, 2007
COLUMBIA, SC – October 16, 2007 -First Citizens, headquartered in Columbia, will fill a void for business professionals and students seeking to get on the information superhighway outside the Vista.
The First Citizens Wi-Fi network extends from the corner of Main and Lady Street all the way to portions of the Vista. Access to the network is free and available for use in this booming business corridor.
We are proud to provide the public with the technology they need to do business. It is just one of the ways First Citizens aims to serve our community and our customers, said Jim Apple, First Citizens’ chairman and CEO.
In 2006, First Citizens purchased its initial Wi-Fi solution. In 2007, the bank successfully installed two external antennas: one near the plaza of its headquarters building located at 1230 Main Street, and another on the rooftop corner of its service center located at the corner of Lady and Park streets. First Citizens implemented a commercial grade Wi-Fi infrastructure, which offers a stronger and more capable service than any residential wireless service in the area.
About 150 people access the HotSpot each month, said Alan Lewis, First Citizens’ director of emerging technology. Users really appreciate being able to check email or surf the Web from the First Citizens plaza, or as far away as the Vista.
First Citizens’ wireless solution allows for unlimited users. At this time, the secure wireless network is available for anyone to use and a User ID and password are not required.
We are not capturing any personal identifiable information when people log into the network, said Lewis.
Users must have a Wi-Fi-enabled computer or handheld device and be within the wireless network range to connect to the First Citizens HotSpot. Based on utilization, up to seven additional antennae per location can be installed, offering a larger capability for use.
We are even looking into replicating this service in other areas where First Citizens is located, primarily the Charleston business district, said Lewis.
About First Citizens
First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. is the parent company of First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc, and The Exchange Bank of South Carolina, Inc. First Citizens Bank offers services in commercial and retail banking through its 166 offices in South Carolina and Georgia. As of June 30, 2007, First Citizens Bancorporation had total consolidated assets of $6.08 billion.
For more information, visit the First Citizens web site at www.firstcitizensonline.com.
