Wireless cities unworkable

Plans to provide low-cost or free wireless internet in cities across the United States are unlikely to be realized faced with the reality of how much such a scheme would cost. Cities are delaying or even abandoning blanketed wireless schemes altogether because of both the cost and the complication of setting them up.

San Fransisco, Chocago and Houston are three cities among many in America that are putting their plans for extensive Wi-Fi networks on hold.

Russell Hancock works for the Silicon Valley Network, a project to provide wireless internet to 40 towns in California in the high-tech region. His project is encountering trouble. “Wi-Fi woes everywhere you turn,” he said.

In Chicago, city officials offered wireless service providers the use of street lamps for radio transmitters and hoped that the service providers would build, own and maintain a network at little or no cost to the city. Unfortunately, an agreement hasn’t been made.

Wi-Fi Networking News employee Glenn Fleishman says: “All these big city projects were doomed to failure because they were too complicated.”

Cost seems to be the sticking point. Cities want free services, service providers want the city governments as a long term customer.

Wireless internet has benefits for the city as well. City employees such as fightfighters, police and inspectors can use the system to get access to information quickly no matter what their location.

Some schemes are already off the ground. In Minneapolis, wireless internet connection is $20 a month. San Fransisco is hoping to be able to provide the service free by bringing in advertising revenue. The government of Springfield, Ill., has plans to charge differing rates based on income, with low income families getting the service for free.

Unfortunately, for those traveling in America, it means you’ll still have to be on the lookout for a good Wi-Fi hotspot.