Category Archives: Infrastructure

AT&T upgrades Charlotte coverage

The end of iPhone woes in Charlotte? The start of the end, perhaps.
“Residents and businesses can expect expanded coverage in the following areas:

Plaza Road and Independence Boulevard;
Clanton Road and Interstate 77;
Quail Hollow Road and Sharon Road;
Coulwood Belhaven Boulevard;
North Wendover Road and Randolph Road; and
Charles Road and South Lafayette Street in Shelby.”

Read more at the Business [...]

An argument against Charlotte’s current rail transit strategy

Awesome case made by Michael Gallis, of Michael Gallis & Associates, a “Strategic Planning Group and Real Estate Studio” in Charlotte, in support of a fully integrated rail transit plan, versus what is currently underway.
“Once among America’s smartest regional transit schemes, Charlotte’s commuter rail system could become the country’s most convoluted. Now planned as disconnected [...]

Proposal puts 1.5 miles of Charlote streetcar only 3 years out

“A proposed streetcar line could be operating in three years under a plan presented Thursday to city leaders.
City council’s transportation committee voted 3-2 to recommend applying for a $24.9 million federal grant to help fund the construction of a 1.5-mile rail line from the Transportation Center on Trade Street to Presbyterian Hospital in Elizabeth.
The full [...]

My Charlotte Foursquare Christmas List, 2009

A little over a month ago Foursquare, the location-based social media scavenger hunt/game, chose inclusion for Charlotte in it’s then very elite list of cities supported by the app/website. In no time at all we’ve seen local/independent business are getting in on the Foursquare e-gold rush.  We’ve already covered UNC Charlotte, so here are the [...]

Clear brings 4G Wimax to Charlotte, an in-depth look

video © Clear; watch this video on YouTube
If you attended BarCamp 2 or Musak’s Brainery event in Charlotte recently, you’ve already used it.
Clear launched their 4G Wimax network in Charlotte this week. We’ve been given a chance to test their service for a few weeks now, and offer everyone a sneak peek on performance around [...]

AT&T Launches Charlotte-only public trial of 3G MicroCell

AT&T launched the public trial of its 3G MicroCell device today which basically serves as a mini cell tower, using your internet connection to boost your mobile device’s voice and data — particularly useful for people in areas of spotty connectivity. The MicroCell sells for $150 with no recurring fees.
Additionally, you can pay $20 a [...]

City Council moves forward with streetcar study

“The streetcar lives to fight another day.
An hour-long debate over a streetcar study ended Monday with City Council’s decision to overturn Mayor Pat McCrory’s veto, clearing the way to award an engineering contract. It was a 7-4 vote along party lines, with all seven Democrats supporting the streetcar study.
It marked the latest twist in a [...]

“Green” Line to UNC Charlotte might be delayed

The 11-mile Lynx Blue Line extension to University City might not be finished until 2019 – six years later than the Charlotte Area Transit System planned two years ago.
The project may be delayed to give the transit system more time to pay for it.
CATS had projected the half-cent transit sales tax would generate $76 million [...]

CLT has nation’s 8th-worst ground-level pollution, no thanks to transportation planners

photo: Justin Ruckman
“Twenty years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a new rule for cities with dirty air, such as Charlotte: Show that your road-building plans will complement efforts to clean the air – or risk losing critical highway construction dollars.
But today the federal process is full of loopholes, the Observer has found.
City transportation [...]

AT&T bringing 7.2 Mbps HSPA high-speed mobile data to Charlotte

“AT&T tells us the company will begin deployment of HSPA 7.2 in six major U.S. cities, including Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami, with initial service availability expected in these markets before the end of 2009. AT&T claims HSPA 7.2 should be available in 25 of AT&T’s 30 largest markets by the end [...]