Digital Houston Initiative

Join WITI as we discuss the latest on the City of Houston's initiative to make wireless broadband services available throughout the city!

The objectives of this initiative include:

- Reducing the City government cost for mobile computing, i.e. parking meters, traffic signals, maintenance crews, field inspections, video and photography in police cars, maps and building plans in fire and EMS vehicles;
- Reducing the monthly cost of broadband for residential and small business users from $30-$50 to $10-$20;
- Bridging the digital divide for disadvantaged communities/ individuals and promoting economic development and conventions/tourism.

The City intends to leverage its significant real estate holdings, as well as rights it may secure to assets owned by the local electric utility, to stimulate private investments and provide maximum value for the community. The City also intends to secure access to more than one (1) million street light and/or utility poles, which are owned by the local electric utility, and deployed in the City's rights-of-way.

We will have drawings for door prizes. Please bring your business cards to the meeting to enter the drawings.

Featured Speaker(s)

Umesh K. Verma, President and CEO of Blue Lance, is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years in the IT industry. Since forming Blue Lance in 1985, he has built the company into a leading provider of computer security and regulatory compliance software products. He is an expert on computer security and monitoring of information assets and is a frequent speaker.

Alongside his success with Blue Lance, Mr. Verma is recognized for having grown C-TREC into one of the largest privately held computer training companies in Houston, specializing in CISSP, Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, HP (ASE), CompTIA, Citrix and SAIR Linux certifications, and is an official Prometric Testing center. He also founded Softec International, an offshore software development company. Softec International was acquired by Novell in 1997.

Boards & Task Forces:

Greater Houston Partnership Board of Directors
Chair, Technology Infrastructure Committee
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Center for Houston’s Future Leadership & Engagement Committee
Houston Technology Center Advisory Board
Technology Executive Club of Houston
University of Houston College of Technology Advisory Board
University of Houston Alumni Organization Board of Directors
Houston Business Magazine Advisory Board
Awards:

Honored as one of 44 distinguished entrepreneurs in the City of Houston by the Houston Technology Center
Future 500 Upside Award presented by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
2002 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year finalist
28th fastest growing company in Houston by the Houston Business Journal
Houston 100 awards 1992
Houston 100 awards 1991

Schedule of Events

6:00-6:30 Registration, Dinner and Networking
6:30-7:00 Announcements, Sponsor Welcome
7:00-8:00 Program, Q&A
8:00-8:30 Networking