VoIP News

December 30, 2006Funding Free Municipal Wi-Fi

You’ve no doubt heard or read about all the muncipal Wi-Fi projectspopping up across the United States and elsewhere. In some cities,there are several subscription options for different access speeds. Inothers, it’s all free. One question that comes to mind is who is goingto pay for the costs of this “free” Wi-Fi? In Portland, Oregon,Microsoft is involved in a full-speed wireless network that’ll offerfree

access in return for showing users paid advertising. Dailywireless asks whether this will work.

Myown feeling is that in any given city, some people will be more thanhappy to have free Wi-Fi, even if they have to watch ads. It’s why VoIPsubscription models like that of Globe7could work. However, are there enough such people? Way back in theearly 90s, I tried free regional long distance calling in return forlistening to ads (pre-Internet) and got sick of wait, the crappy music,and the same old ads. If, however, I had to watch, say, movie or TVtrailers for access to the Internet, I might be okay on that. Whatabout you?

If there are not enough people supporting theadvertisers of such wireless networks, however, what happens to thecity? Do taxes go up? Do they force paid subscription on users? Andwhen people say sayonnara, does the city tear down the infrastructure?That costs money, too.

The concept of free wireless access isrelatively new. I’m not sure, but I think it was used by some ISPs fordialup Internet access, though I’m not so sure that succeed as I can’tthink of any examples. Only time (or indepth surveys) will tell if suchpayment models will work.