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Municipal WiFi networks: The goals, practices and policy implications of the US case
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| Venue: | Communications and Strategies No |
| Citations: | 14 - 0 self |
BibTeX
@ARTICLE{Bar_municipalwifi,
author = {François Bar and Namkee Park},
title = {Municipal WiFi networks: The goals, practices and policy implications of the US case},
journal = {Communications and Strategies No},
year = {},
pages = {107--125}
}
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Abstract
Abstract: This paper explores three broad questions about municipal Wi-Fi networks in the U.S.: why are cities getting involved, how do they go about deploying these networks, and what policy issues does this new trend raise? To explain municipal involvement, the paper points out that cities have both the means to provide relatively inexpensive deployment and the motives to provide wireless connectivity to city employees, foster the economic development of communities and offer universal and affordable broadband services to residents. The paper then explores nine possible business models, ordered according to two questions: who owns the network and who operates it. Each of the possible business models is described and its policy implications are discussed. Finally, the paper addresses the political and legal fight over the right of cities to build these networks. The authors argue in conclusion that the current municipal Wi-Fi movement should be allowed to proceed without federal restrictions. Key words: municipal wireless, internet policy. n the wake of Wi-Fi's spectacular rise during the past ten years, a new twist has emerged: the last few years have seen a growing number of municipal governments deploy Wi-Fi networks, in the U.S. and abroad. According to VOS (2005), there were 82 municipal Wi-Fi networks in the U.S. as of July 2005, up from 44 the previous year (VOS, 2004). In addition, another 35 municipalities are currently planning to deploy such networks (VOS, 2005). Outside the U.S., over the same period, this number increased from 40 to 69 (VOS, 2005). Such municipal enthusiasm for deploying and operating telecommunication networks comes as a surprise given the prevailing trend of deregulation and privatization in public utilities. This paper explores the deployment of municipal Wi-Fi networks within the U.S. context, where the deployment of wireless broadband takes on
Keyphrases
policy implication municipal wifi network municipal wi-fi network u case possible business model spectacular rise policy issue past ten year wi-fi network wireless broadband economic development new twist last year internet policy affordable broadband service u.s. context wireless connectivity federal restriction public utility municipal wireless previous year telecommunication network new trend raise inexpensive deployment municipal government municipal involvement municipal enthusiasm current municipal wi-fi movement broad question key word offer universal legal fight city employee
