Chapel Hill Technology Advisory Committee

["Chad A. Johnston" <johnston AT thepeopleschannel.org>]

Thought you might be interested in this
Best,
Chad Johnston

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	[cc-mediareform] Over 320 cities building WiFi networks
Date:	Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:30:43 -0500
From:	Chuck Sherwood <chuck.sherwood AT verizon.net>
To:	cc-mediareform AT list.commoncause.org

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	[CAnet - news] Over 320 cities building WiFi networks
Date:	Fri, 10 Mar 2006 09:51:35 -0500
From:	Bill St.Arnaud <bill.st.arnaud AT canarie.ca>
Reply-To:	bill.st.arnaud AT canarie.ca
To:	<news AT canarie.ca>

For more information on this item please visit the CANARIE CA*net 4 Optical
Internet program web site at http://www.canarie.ca/canet4/library/list.html
-------------------------------------------


 [Some excerpts from Network World -- BSA]

http://www.networkworld.com/research/2006/030606-municipal-wi-fi.html?rlt=03
06lan1&code=nllan25690

Building boom for Wi-Fi networks

This ripple in the pond of municipal infrastructure advancements quickly
became a tsunami. By the middle of last year, MuniWireless.com noted that it
was "raining RFPs," and The Yankee Group analyst Lindsay Schroth estimates
there are some 320 U.S. municipalities that have or are planning to cover
themselves with broadband wireless networks.

    * The Yankee Group forecasts worldwide capital investment in municipal
wireless broadband networks will reach $400 million in 2007, up from a
forecasted $170.94 million this year.

The best approach depends on local circumstances, but Schroth sees some kind
of public/private partnership as "an absolute must. Government doesn't have
the capability to build, market and deliver innovative services. A better
approach is for a service provider to build a wholesale network with a city
as its anchor tenant," she says.

The plan has competing wireless ISPs (WISP) joining city-owned Wireless
Philadelphia as EarthLink tenants, with WP getting a percentage of the fees.
Philadelphia also expects annual savings of about $2 million from replacing
dial-up access and T-1 links used by field crews and remote facilities.   

South Sioux City also plans to test fiber to the home, but broadband
wireless "is clearly the cost-effective last-mile choice right now, and it
also provides a huge amount of flexibility for applications," says Lance
Martin, communications coordinator for South Sioux City.   

Initial municipal applications include public safety, automated utility
meter reading and inspection services.

High-speed mobile access also is streamlining building inspection services.
Philadelphia CIO Dianah Neff reckons it can save her city about two hours
per day, per inspector, which will clear permits faster.


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These news items and comments are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect
those  of the CANARIE board or management.

-----------
Bill.St.Arnaud AT canarie.ca
www.canarie.ca/~bstarn
skype: pocketpro
SkypeIn: +1 614 441-9603


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