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NYC: Leverage Fiber, Offer Free Wi-Fi

Posted by timothy on from the fiber-rich-money-poor dept.

gpmap writes "A new study from the New York City Council is recommending that the Big Apple throw open the competitive bidding process for its annual $130 million phone and Internet bill in order to leverage one of the most expansive -- and underused -- fiber optic networks in the country. In so doing, New York City could not only cut its annual telecom bill, but would also be in a position to deploy wireless networking links as the "last mile" connecting metropolitan area networks, or MANs. In addition, it suggested using the fiber to deploy free Internet access with a Wi-Fi Network in Brooklyn's Prospect Park."

1 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. about time by pigscanfly.ca · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is one thing I never understand about goverments , they lock them selves into a contract and keep on renewing it without looking for cheaper alternatives . In ottawa city counsil finally woke up and founded ottawa telecom to use there power company ROW on the poles to do there own direct fiber (for cheaper inet access for schools , libraries and city goverment with medium prices for other business) .
    Now I see NY is takeing the first step , looking for a competitor to verizon (the incumbant I'm guessing) ; as a sort of after thought why dont they see how well they could serve there own needs as well (not sugesting that they just go it alone but if its cheaper why not?) .

    I sincerly whish best of luck to NY with there future projects.

    Note : in this post NY = NYC