As a proponent of wireless cities - cheaper, faster (or so I thought) and more accessible internet access for all - I'm very glad to see Minneapolis "officially" moving ahead with plans to set up Minneapolis as a wireless city.
It's intriguing to read the counterpart news coming out of Philadelphia, which is simultaneously moving forward with setting up a wireless city, but with a role for the city itself in investing in and setting up the basic infrastructure. A quick review of some of the news about Philadelphia highlights the telecoms' concerns about cities competing in their turf. http://www.mlive.com/business/aanews/index.ssf?/base/business-3/111312803417 8691.xml http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/11371939.htm http://www.sci-tech-today.com/comp/story.xhtml?story_title=Philadelphia-Goes -Wireless-With-Ambitious-Public-Wi-Fi-Plan&story_id=32552&category=comp http://www.observer-reporter.com/300835253906781.bsp http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/1658 Philadelphia's web site on the subject can be found at http://www.phila.gov/wireless/ Minneapolis is very purposely avoiding reaction from the telecom industry and fears legal consequences if it didn't let the telecoms develop the system. For these reasons, and because it doesn't have any money to invest in the infrastructure, our city is putting the whole system out to bid. As Minneapolis plan moves forward, I have some initial questions that I hope others on the list - who are knowledgeable about the technical, cost or political aspects of wireless technology - can shed light on: 1) Speed. I understood that the speed of a wireless system was (much) faster than current cable and DSL access. Is this not the case? What should we as consumers expect? 2) Price. We know that wireless access is significantly cheaper than current cable and DSL access - monthly service charge to residents in Chaska is $16/month. Is there any reason to NOT expect a similar price advantage in Minneapolis? Should not any cost proposed by the private sector in Minneapolis that deviates greatly from this initial standard be questioned (recognizing a varying cost schedule for residential and commercial users)? 3) Contract. What should the public be watching for with regard to the nature and terms of the contract(s) the City enters into with telecoms for wireless service? How will/should these contracts differ from current contracts for the provision of phone, cable and DSL service? Jeanne Massey Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
