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A micro example.
A small town (pop: 4000) not so far from me did this on their own. That is they deployed WiFi everywhere around town. Neither the Telco's nor the Cable guys wanted to be bothered with such a "small" number of users.

Now you can go just about anywhere in town with your lappie and you are on line. Yes there are a few blind spots but they are working on it. There are also plans in the works to upgrade to WiMAX once the standard is locked down.

One of the neatest things is that at the edge of town they have rest stop for travelers. The volume of people stopping at the rest stop has increased by at least 500%. Lots of folks wanting to check email I guess? But the net effect is the stores in the area have seen a big increase in sales from these travelers.

Not surpisingly the State is using this town as an example of how to do it right. By the way, the town had to fight a law suit with the local telco to do it even though the telco refused to move ahead. (That figured predominantly in the judge's ruling by the way.)

The town "leases" the system to an ISP on a bidding basis and the bid is re-newed every three years. (Maintenance, upgrading, cost, are all part of the bid.)

From what I can see, it's a win/win for everyone concerned, well, except the telcos. Their biggest fear now is that the town is looking hard at VoIP...
Posted by: No_Ax_to_Grind   Posted on: 08/19/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Centrino zones !!!  Prognosticator | 08/18/05
Me thinks the Telco's are in trouble...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/18/05
Not yet.  Anton Philidor | 08/18/05
Like the tide coming in.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/19/05
Yes, the telco's know municipalities...  Anton Philidor | 08/19/05
Nope, I see it as a convergence  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/19/05
Intel does need to sell products, yes.  Anton Philidor | 08/19/05
A micro example.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/19/05
That is municipal WiFi's best chance.  Anton Philidor | 08/19/05
Three+ years so far.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/19/05
The telcos a doing just fine!  B.O.F.H. | 08/18/05
That's why they file law suits everyday against every city.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/19/05
No reply BOFH?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 08/19/05
Greatest thing since sliced bread? Think again.  nerdnick | 08/19/05

What do you think?

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