Free WIFI Based on the Current Information

Free WIFI

Based on the current information regarding free Wi-Fi being offered in various municipalities, it is impossible to make any generalized statements either pro-or con. There have been some successful implementations and some very unsuccessful attempts at implementation. Generally, those that failed were vast, sweeping projects that failed to consider the limitations which would inevitably lead to their demise. Those with a more limited scope were often more successful. To properly assess the viability of such an ambitious project, each interested municipality must conduct an objective review of its immediate and long-term requirements and make an evaluation based on its needs rather than jumping on the band wagon just because it's the trendy thing to do ( Opsahl, 2009). It has been proven that municipalities can benefit by using Wi-Fi, but the scope should follow a narrower definition in the beginning, and it should be spearheaded by whomever (public/private) can do the best job. It appears that the best job is primarily being done by municipalities because they are focusing on the community's needs rather than pie in the sky profits (Opsahl, 2009). However, don't count out the private sector. If there is money to be made, private industry will find a way to do it.

The most noteworthy failures during the initial push for free city wide Wi-Fi were in cities where the proposed coverage areas were extremely large given the limitations of Wi-Fi and the technology at that time. In 2007, "big city municipal Wi-Fi projects in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Portland, and New Orleans all hit the skids when the limitations of Wi-Fi became apparent." Essentially, the business plans underestimated the amount of equipment necessary and the associated expenses. To affect the type of service originally envisioned many more devices were needed and even when installed, there were problems due to interference from buildings, parking garages, etc. It was difficult to obtain a signal inside buildings and some areas which meant that many people continued to pay for an IPS which offered faster and more reliable access. Because fewer people utilized those services that actually made it to a test phase, private operators were unable to recognize the profits they initially forecasted from advertisement revenue. With added expense and less revenue, these huge municipal city Wi-Fi projects that were funded by the private sector hit major stumbling blocks. Most of those which were city funded essentially suffered the same fate.

Recently, however, many of these cities have downscaled the initial plans and revamped to become successful on a smaller scale. Houston, for example, though not city wide, now has many Wi-Fi hot spots. The current Wi-Fi situation in Houston "grew out of a pilot program that used excess bandwidth from the city's wireless parking meters to provide three months of "test coverage" in the downtown business district. Things worked out well: Houston received a Broadband Technology Opportunity (BTOP) grant to provide additional public broadband access" (Kylie, 2010). There are now over one hundred and fifty hot spots in Houston in various neighborhoods and hubs of business activity (Kylie, 2010).

Seattle is another large metropolis experiencing success with a limited municipal Wi-Fi service. It is available in some city parks and many business districts. They have plans to expand, but gradually, not in a sweeping city wide push. With a limited scope, Seattle has achieved success (government site).

Yet another example is Corpus Christi, Texas. Originally, Earthlink was the private sector provider associated with this project. Earthlink undertook a massive project to provide a large Wi-Fi service area. Like many others it went awry due to the same issues (technology issues and lack of revenue). However, Corpus Christi purchased the system back from Earthlink, scaled back the plan, and is now able to claim success. It now uses the system to provide electronic meter reading which actually saves the city money (Opsahl, 2009).

Philadelphia was the figurehead municipality when it came to spearheading city wide Wi-Fi service. Like Corpus Christi, Philadelphia chose Earthlink to develop and provide this service. Again, Earthlink failed to meet its objectives and ultimately dumped the project. Philadelphia bought back its system and now plans to use it in a more limited fashion. According to one analyst "history and many muni successes favor Philly's move to buy back its system, says analyst Craig Settles, in Muniwireless.com. "Dozens of city-owned and run broadband networks used for local government purposes have proven to be highly successful," says Settles" (Churchhill, 2009).