I do know there is free wireless at the airport. In fact this is the only airport I know with free service. I always see laptops at the gate.

But after reading the socially-oriented comments, you got me thinking. Where’s the need? What portion of that need is appropriate for our city to fill? Can we do it without tapping the taxpayers?

I think the answer is Yes. Yes. Yes.

I posted the start of my framework in Free Census Bureau Data Leads to a Big Idea for Closing the Digital Divide Locally.

I’m looking forward to your input.

So now the question remains..you have a useful network for the people. How do you ensure everyone has a computer and the training to use such a network. It is those folks who either haven’t the financial means or knowledge of the potential benefits of the internet who should be your primary target to get online.

There is no such thing as the “free public” internet. All these networks are owned by someone. Even if you build your own local network (which you will own) connecting all the local businesses and homes in town, you are still giong to have to pay transit fees to one of the monopolies to get them to take your traffic to their customers and to the rest of the world (unless you are big enough to get a peering agreement which you won’t be). In turn, the monoplies will have to pay fees or have peering agreements with networks on the other end to deliver your traffic.

You have to pay, one way or the other. I would rather just pay up front, knowing what I am getting, rather than hiding it in my taxes.

As an Economic Development tool, wireless will not be a boon. Ask your business leaders, “Hey if we offered free or affordable WiFi, would you use it.” Consider the answers in this context, “Of those who said yes, are those the kinds of employers we’re trying to attract?” The bigger, primary, employers won’t use it. They will be concerned about security, reliabiltiy and performance.

Municipalities, especially the big ones, often take the easy road. Lower financial risk, less political risk, higher likelihood of getting it done. etc.

The bigger, better play is Fiber to the Premises. 100% of business owners big, small, primary employers, or not would say “YES” I would absolutely use a fiber optic connection if it was available and affordable.

Working with a provider to bring Fiber to the Premises to Bettendorf would have an enormous impact on ED there. The impact from WiFi wouldn’t even be a blip comparatively.

Tim Root
Director of Community Development
Brilliant Cities (www.brilliantcities.com)
612-230-3190

When you are dealing with monolopies which are the telcos this is definitely NOT true. This town certainly can implement a solution which is to provide affordable internet access for all. This solution need not be physically installing a public network however such a network is not impossible. The option to build what private industry refuses to do without a huge markup should be open for debate for the people of the town. All costs should be fully forecasted in a transparent manner.

Seriously, though a town network has that “cool” factor however maintenance is indeed expensive. Also legal issues could arise over content over the network. Who is responsible for the network security of a network that theoretically is owned by the town. Will the people even trust such a network that is literally in the hands of government. Do not underestimate the potential concerns from citizens over privacy and liability.

You please the users AND the telcos (who keep some connections).
Have the town subsidise some old PCs (what organisation *hasn’t* got some sitting in a cupboard?) and ADSL/cable installs at key positions, and let the rest of the town take an active part …