U.S. Ranks 15th on ITU Penetration List
The United States is 15th in the world in broadband penetration, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). When the ITU measured a broader "digital opportunity" index (considering price and other factors) we were 21st -- right after Estonia. Asian and European customers get home connections of 25 to 100 megabits per second (fast enough to stream high-definition video). Here, we pay almost twice as much for connections that are one-twentieth the speed.
From The Washington Post, November 07, 2006
Hartford Wi-Fi Has A Few Kinks
City officials hope to pay for the build-out with revenues generated from the sale of wi-fi service. Although service will be free to residents for the first few months, after March 2007, only the first 20 hours of service each month will be free.
From The Hartford Courant, November 06, 2006
US Internet Seeks 17 City Wi-Fi Deals
After landing the contract to build a citywide wireless network for Minneapolis, US Internet is setting its sights on cities nationwide. Through a partnership with Charys Holding Co. Inc., US Internet has already landed a deal in Atlanta and is working on a pilot project in Boston.
From American Business Daily, November 05, 2006
Caltrain Receives $1M for Wireless
The Caltrain board of directors on Thursday approved a $1 million allocation toward designing and engineering the system, spokesman Jonah Weinberg said. An additional estimated $2 million to $3 million will be needed to fully implement the service.
From CBS5.com, November 03, 2006
FCC Says No to Logan, Yes to Free Wi-Fi
Today's ruling is a crushing defeat for the contradictory and shifting statements made over the last two years by Massport, the operators of Boston-Logan airport, in their attempt to control the use of Wi-Fi in their facility.
From Wi-Fi Networking News, November 01, 2006
Where to Find Wi-Fi in Canada
Wi-Fi internet connectivity is becoming a common feature among Canadian cities. PCworld.ca brings you a list of what cities across the country are doing (or not doing) to increase their connectivity.
From PC World CA, November 01, 2006
Rock Hill (SC) To Deploy Citywide Wi-Fi Network
"Our goal is to provide a city-owned and operated wireless network that will allow the city to provide a higher level of service to our customers and citizens," said Doug Echols, mayor of the City of Rock Hill. "The network will enable us to extend the knowledge, informational resources and databases available in city offices to the public safety, utility and other municipal workers in the field."
From Government Technlogy, November 01, 2006
MetroFi's Ad-Based Model in Foster City (CA)
MetroFi's business model relies on showing a strip of carefully tailored advertising across the top of users' web browsers. "The cost structure is such that you can get an acceptable return on capital, using an advertising model," says CEO Chuck Haas.
From The Guardian, October 30, 2006
Financial Inclusion and Digital Inclusion
Microcredit, microfinance, "financial inclusion" and the "un-banked" - An article in The New Yorker compares Mohamed Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Price, with Pierre Omidyar, creator of eBay who wants to commercialize microcredit. To what extent will remote banking for the poor be enabled by wireless broadband and inclusive technologies?
From The New Yorker, October 30, 2006
Somerville, Boston Area Picking Up Speed
Locally, Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Malden and several other small and mid-sized cities are implementing various approaches to Wi-Fi
From Somerville Journal, October 27, 2006
