Investments in citywide WiFi networks go beyond expectactions
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Will they work or not isn’t the question. Municipalities seem hooked to the citywide WiFi technologies. So much that investments in those networks go beyond expectations.
Last year, MuniWireless.com, a blog focus on public networks, “predicted that cities and counties would spend about $177 million in 2006 to build wireless networks. But the actual figure is much higher–about $235 million will be spent in 2006 on these networks, according to the new report,” says CNet.
And this is only for the US. If combined with investment made in Europe and East Europe, the total amount would be revised again. Abroad, the munifi mania seems to spread abroad too. In Europe, with Paris or London ambitioning to become the first capital to set their own network. Or in the Netherlands, where wireless networks rival fiber optics-based ones.
Still, the question is why deploying such networks in already well deserved places. Paris is one of the most connected city in Europe, London, well, public networks currently focused on the City, the quartier d’affaires. And in America, besides being a challenge for telecoms companies to blanket city surroundings, wireless network projects were launched to break the digital divide. But with what will lower-income households access the Web? Do business plans include those costs?
Oct 26, 2006 | By Nuno
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