Almost interesting
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:10 pm
Since this has been mulled about this forum before, figured it was time for an update, and see if your localities are doing anything like this. I know the telecom companies hate the idea, but it appears to be moving ahead in the name of progress.
Sounds good, but remember how Netzero (sup "we'll offer free internet until the end of time) thought that banner ads were "the way?"
How'd that work out for them?
Since they say it will be "slow"(without actually putting a number on it), what's the point? If you live in the "hilly, forestes areas" of town...you can freaking afford any internet service your heart desires. I kinda doubt people in million-dollar homes are sweating that DSL/cable bill.
And in the central part of the city, in "the bowl," sorry...but if you have a wireless card and boot it up, chances are you'll have your choice of at least 6 wireless networks, many of which people have left unsecured intentionally. And chances are, they won't be "slow." Not that I've really experimented with it much, but I've yet to see a flat spot(non hilly) where you can't find a network to slurp off of. And often even in the hilly areas. Some better than others.
Thoughts?
Evil socialism, or wave of the future?
Portland moves a step closer to citywide Wi-Fi
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By SARAH SKIDMORE
Associated Press Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland is a step closer to having free wireless Internet service available across the city.
Portland has been working for years to become one of the first big cities to make free Wi-Fi universal. City officials said this week that they've selected MetroFi of Mountain View, Calif., to administer the project.
The project envisions all residents having access to the service by the end of next year.
The network is intended to improve some wireless city services and create an alternative for people who cannot afford existing Internet services.
While the service will be free, city officials said, it will also be slow - about a fifth as fast as high-speed connections via cable or telephone line.
"This partnership ... represents a monumental effort to bridge the digital divide," City Commissioner Dan Saltzman said.
MetroFi will pay for the construction and administration of the project. The service will be maintained through advertising revenue. Users can opt to pay $20 a month for advertising-free service.
MetroFi beat out two competitors for the project - VeriLAN, a Portland company, and Earthlink, which recently won Wi-Fi contracts in San Francisco and Philadelphia.
The city will not pay for the project. However it plans to use the Wi-Fi instead of cell phone networks to run Portland's automated parking networks and for some other public services.
MetroFi would put 2,000 wireless antennas around Portland to enable access in the city's hilly forested areas. The antennas are to be on existing structures, such as tops of city buildings and lightpoles.
Portland does have free Wi-Fi service available at a number of sites because of the Personal TelCo Project, a volunteer group in Portland, but this would be the first citywide project.
The City Council is expected to review the project within a month, and, if it approves, MetroFi could begin creating the service in June.
Sounds good, but remember how Netzero (sup "we'll offer free internet until the end of time) thought that banner ads were "the way?"
How'd that work out for them?
Since they say it will be "slow"(without actually putting a number on it), what's the point? If you live in the "hilly, forestes areas" of town...you can freaking afford any internet service your heart desires. I kinda doubt people in million-dollar homes are sweating that DSL/cable bill.
And in the central part of the city, in "the bowl," sorry...but if you have a wireless card and boot it up, chances are you'll have your choice of at least 6 wireless networks, many of which people have left unsecured intentionally. And chances are, they won't be "slow." Not that I've really experimented with it much, but I've yet to see a flat spot(non hilly) where you can't find a network to slurp off of. And often even in the hilly areas. Some better than others.
Thoughts?
Evil socialism, or wave of the future?