SEQUIM — The Jamestown S’Klallam tribe has purchased Mobilisa Wireless of Port Townsend.
Here is a news release received today from the tribe:
On August 31, 2015, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe of Sequim closed on its purchase of Mobilisa Wireless from Intellicheck/Mobilisa Inc. of Port Townsend.
The new stand-alone company, called Mobilisa Enterprise Wireless, is now a Jamestown Networks (JNet) affiliate managed by the tribe’s Economic Development Authority.
The addition of Mobilisa Enterprise Wireless brings wireless telecommunications design, installation and monitoring solutions to the tribe’s business portfolio.
Mobilisa has substantial experience and expertise in engineering, design, development, production, deployment and sustainment of wireless technology and infrastructure both on land and over water.
Their recent projects include the Jefferson County Public Utility District wireless data system project, the design and installation of the British Columbia Ferries wireless system, and the design and installation of the Makah wireless high speed broadband delivery system.
JNet, opened by the tribe in August 2013, buys wholesale broadband capacity from NoaNet (Northwest Open Access Network), Washington state’s nonprofit broadband provider, and resells it on a government-to-government basis to “anchor institutions” including cities, counties, law enforcement agencies, fire protection districts, public utility districts, hospitals, first responders, schools, ports, libraries and community centers.
“The staff expertise at Mobilisa will allow us to pursue additional services like Internal Network Management for our school district customers, as well as other public and private entities,” said Douglas Sellon, executive director of the tribe’s Economic Development Authority.
JNet and Intellicheck/Mobilisa have worked together over the past two years to provide high speed broadband to rural areas, including the Makah Reservation.
Combining the two companies will allow the tribe to diversify its broadband business, to complement its Internet Service Provider (ISP) business, and to offer a more complete package of broadband and wireless services to clients.
As with all tribal businesses, the addition of a new company will provide additional profits to reinvest to provide services (including healthcare, housing, education, and other social services) to the tribal community.
The Mobilisa Wireless Team — Director John Krouse, Chief Engineer Justin Stout, Wireless Network Engineer Matthew Lawson, and Network Engineer Adam Morris — will remain on staff.
