Subtitled: Municipal Wi-Fi networks don’t quite deliver on the promise of wide-ranging access. Find the article here.
So what’s the problem?:
Wi-Fi doesn’t penetrate buildings well. No surprise there, if you ever had a home network and tried the laptop in your living room, on your patio, etc. Y
People aren’t signing up in any numbers. Only 2000 signed so far with Earthlink in the five cities they have rolled out to. Who are all these people with WiFi enabled devices anyway? Are we at, say, a 5% saturation point now, between laptops, and other gadgets, including the iPhone? I don’t see this lack of device problem factored in nearly enough.
The incumbents are able to sell faster, more reliable service in to homes and businesses and increasingly competitive prices. These guys have fat pipes to the home and office, and billions to spend. You want to compete with these guys head to head?
Don’t get me wrong — MuniWiFi is a noble — and valuable enterprise. Just save your dreams of having it provide universal coverage. Pick your spots — schools, libraries, parks, public squares, meeting places, and business and retail districts. Build community wells, think local. Deliver WiFi to where people congregate, where you can provide good service. Don’t presume you can provide everyone with indoor plumbing.