Yep- you are correct, sir- I have it from a very reliable source. * EL locates on City (or whatever utility it is) poles. * They pledge that they will allow other ISPs to wheel their service over the network (many spare SSIDs are available) * They foot the bill for the install (I'd say 2 million for a small city- just estimating) * They use gear that meshes and has intelligence so that it can optimize and work around interference and congestion. * They co-produce with the city an event for the "unveiling" or "wire cutting" and invite residents and businesses to sign up and give it a free try. * Dialup customers (hopefully) migrate to the new broadband network. Some mobile users will use the network for whatever it is that mobile users do. * Police, Fire, Building Inspections, etc use the free accounts (if any were negotiated) and maybe additional accounts are purchased. * POSSIBLY Google or someone else rides the network subsidizing a free tier of service (300 kb/s in San Francisco) * And (if the recent posting about Vonage is correct)- EL allows other carriers to provide service via EL's infrastructure for a set fee. These carriers could be AOL, DirecTV internet, Odessa Office, OneRing or even "Joes Best Little Internet Provider In Texas".
It looks like it could be a win-win situation and a resource for EL, the City, the residents and local businesses, AND the ISPs who choose to use access to it as a means to enter the market in that town. Imagine Marlon being able to branch out into San Francisco, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Anaheim and any other markets available just by inking a deal with EL. I think Municipal WiFi's definition is evolving. It doesn't have to be *owned or funded* by a municipality, it just has to cover the municipality. So far, I think Marlon's described network may fit the description, assuming it has adequate on-street coverage. Notice I have said "on-street", not in-building. Getting it into the building is another project, and there are at least 2 ways to do that. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Marlon K. Schafer (509) 982-2181 Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 5:39 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Muni networks, the good, bad and ugly <snip> I learned today that I already have a few municipal networks myself! Much like the Earthlink/SanFran network will be. Privately funded, open to competitors, uses city facilites, city gets free services, covers 100% of the community. Hmmm, sounds like what I've been doing here for half a decade now! Ralph, stick up for me here.... grin -- WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
