Philadelphia Considering Municipal Wi-Fi

sebFlyte writes "The row over Muni Wi-Fi continues as cities and other municipal authorities consider building massive Wi-Fi networks to give lots of people low-cost wireless net access. CNET is running an article written by the CIO for the city of Philadelphia, explaining why she thinks it's time to break the telcos de-facto monopoly and for public agencies to start offering public services." We have previous covered Taipei's efforts along these lines to create a for-pay service

Comments

Re:What To Look Forward To?

[Anonymous Coward]

They'll also have 24/7 access to the receiver, though, so that's a good thing (tm)

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Re:What To Look Forward To?

[Erwos]

"Ultimately it'll actually be pretty good service."

This time machine of yours - can I borrow it?

The fact is, you have absolutely no proof whatsoever of the veracity of your claim. Let me throw another unsubstantiated claim out: it'll suck, and badly.

"Look at the stranglehold Cable TV has on communities. (oh, sure you can go satellite, but it's still not price competitive because they're pricing to compete with near monopolies)"

What is your definition of price competitive? Your value of some service may lead you to believe it is overpriced, but someone who values said service differently may feel it is a fair price. These companies are competing, and they sometimes do it on price.

If muncipalities insisted on those conditions, cable companies wouldn't bother laying the cable to begin with. Why compete in a city that's hostile to you, when there's a hundred more that will give you whatever terms you want?

-Erwos

I love how everyone is like "OOO FREE WI-FI"

[hsmith]

It isn't free you dolts, nothing the government gives you is free, you pay for it all.

WiFi

[Anonymous Coward]

This won't happen, the bells would have some competition. Since Verizon more or less has the government in it's pocket, it ain't happening joe...

If this bill gets passed, I'd bet my left cojone the FCC steps in and finds a reason to shut Philly's wireless down.

It isn't going to work.