http://www.nypost.com/business/51774.htm
CITIES, PROVIDERS WAR OVER WI-FI AS UTILITY
By SAM GUSTIN
What if wireless, broadband Internet access was as abundant as
electricity — and cities provided it at a low cost to every citizen?
Today, virtually every new laptop comes equipped with a Wi-Fi card,
allowing users to get online wherever there is a wireless network.
Chances are if you walk down your block in either direction, you're
bound to find a "hot spot."
Wi-Fi component shipments increased 7 percent between the first
quarter and second quarter of this year, according to a report
released Friday from Infonetics Research.
The increased abundance of Wi-Fi has far-reaching consequences for
the future of the Internet, and powerful forces are staking out
positions in what could be the next great chapter of the Internet
wars: the battle to control wireless broadband distribution.
"Wi-Fi will be a public utility," said Esme Vos, the editor of
muniwireless.com. "Cities will set up these networks for public
access and local government applications like public safety, mobile
voice-over-IP, public works, and health and human services."
Hundreds of free Wi-Fi networks have sprung up around the country,
including dozens in New York, threatening the iron grip that the
major, regional Bell operating companies have had on broadband
distribution.
The major providers are currently supporting legislation introduced
by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) — who worked at Bell Labs for 16
years — that essentially bars municipalities from offering low-cost
broadband to citizens.
Aligned against Sessions and the providers is an unlikely coalition
of cities, nonprofits and community groups across the country that
support a bill introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen.
Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), which would protect the ability of local
governments to provide broadband.
Last week, Intel said it will help 13 cities develop municipal Wi-Fi
networks, pitting it directly against the regional Bells, which
oppose such efforts.
While lawmakers wrangle over the future of Wi-Fi, local communities
have taken Wi-Fi into their own hands. More than 50 municipalities
have created Wi-Fi networks for public access or public safety use
including Corpus Christi, Texas; Spokane, Wash.; and Dayton, Ohio,
according to muniwireless.com. Philadelphia and San Francisco are
racing to become the first major U.S. city to offer municipal Wi-Fi.
"We have an opportunity with broadband to fulfill our highest
democratic aspirations," said Jeffrey Chester, executive director of
the Center for Digital Democracy. "Access to broadband is now an
essential part of American life."
Chester said Verizon and the other providers are stifling competition
by working to prevent independent service providers from gaining
access to broadband bandwidth.
Verizon's Vice President for Internet and Technology Policy, Link
Hoewing, defended the company's position by saying: "We think the
private — sector model is a good one."
But Executive Director of NYCwireless Dana Spiegel worries that,
contrary to perceptions of a connected city, many are left out. "Only
10 percent of low-income families in New York City have access to
broadband, because Time Warner and Verizon keep prices for broadband
artificially high."
"Just like the grass and the trees and the benches are provided by
the city," Spiegel said, "we think that broadband Internet access
should be provided as well."
Dana Spiegel
Executive Director
NYCwireless
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.NYCwireless.net
+1 917 402 0422
Read the Community Wireless blog: http://sociable.blogspot.com
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