Sadly complaints about poor connectivity and a few negative press reports have drowned out much of the positive feedback, according to this Newsweek article. Despite the problems mayors across America are feeling the Wi-Fi fever too. Philadelphia's mayor and city council approved a $15 million dollar plan to work with Atlanta-based Earthlink to spread a 135-square-mile wireless network.
San Francisco's mayor recently chose a proposal from Google and Earthlink for a $10 million dollar Wi-Fi network, covering 49 square miles. Is your city next?
Some concerns are how to pay for infrastructure, whether to offer completely free or basic free with paid for ad ons, and the big question is whether the networks will work as advertised.
Read the full Newsweek article to find out more about the concerns and hurdles with Wi-Fi for thousands.
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I think finally people are seeing the light on Muni Wifi - thanks for your coverage.
The Indoor coverage issue is bigger than acknowledged:
If outdoors based Muni WiFi is going to be ad supported then one needs eyeballs - where do people use their computers the large majority of the time? OOPS Indoors. SF asked for 90% indoor coverage - (not just for perimeter rooms that have windows or are below the 2nd floor). CPE isn't going to get a signal typically above 2nd floor and nonethless you gotta have a window or rooftop facing a transmitter - otherwise you probably can't even draw in WiFi.
Who wants to check their email in their PJ's in the middle of the night by taking their laptop outside and standing under a lightpole?
If the city is going to provide exclusive access for a ISP like Earthlink/Google for their Vertical Assets (Earthlink asked for 10 years + 8 year extension) Basically a WiFi monopoly franchise then it is only politically viable if everyone gets similar coverage - otherwise you haven't solved the Digital Divide buzzword
SF TechConnect WiFi Franchise: City hearing Monday 6/12 10am PST - watch live online too
How will your privacy be protected?
Can we get more than 300k speed (Mtn Vw gets 1000k)
Digital Inclusion funding (philly got 10,000 computers)
How well will it work indoors (SF asked for 90% indoor coverage)
Will there be significant Pilots before the contract is signed?
You can also watch online live streaming at SFGTV http://sfgov.org/site/sfgtv_index.asp?id=11463
Agenda: http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_page.asp?id=29796
Posted by: Kimo Crossman | June 11, 2006 4:34 AM | Permalink to Comment