Wi-Fi Versus 3G: Let Battle Commence!
While established mobile carriers have struggled to introduce faster 3G technology and are promising HSDPA this year, relative newcomers such as The Cloud have been building rival networks that offer high-speed access at thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in cities across the UK and Europe.
From VNUnet.com, May 29, 2006
The Citywide Wi-Fi Reality Check
The city's experiment to blanket its 135 square miles with wireless high-speed Internet access has been hailed by supporters as one of the most innovative projects in the country. But some experts caution that significant technical and business issues must be hammered out before citywide wireless networks can become a reality.
From CNET News, May 27, 2006
New Orleans Council OK's EarthLink
The Wi-Fi mesh network will provide affordable, high-speed Internet in New Orleans. Atlanta-based EarthLink will provide a free-service tier and a paid-service tier. The free service will be offered for a limited time during the city's rebuilding efforts at speeds up to 300kbs, and users will be able to access the Internet without having to view advertising. The ISP will also offer a higher speed paid service.
From Atlanta Business Journals, May 26, 2006
Deltona (FL) Says No to Wi-Fi for Now
Building a wireless community free to the public might have great potential for this city. But not now, commissioners said. At a workshop Wednesday, a company called MRI presented broadband wireless-fidelity or "wi-fi" benefits, which it said has saved the city of St. Cloud $640,000. The company said Deltona could also save money by running its own wi-fi system rather paying for internet access for its employees.
From Daytona Beach News-Journal, May 25, 2006
Northbrook (IL) Wavers on Wi-Fi, Studies
Northbrook could join a small but growing number of municipalities on the cutting edge of Internet technology if it opts to build its own wireless network. But it's a move consultants say could cost more than $15 million in its first decade.
From Northbrook Star, May 25, 2006
WiMAX Must Meet Fundamental Hurdles
WiMAX needs to overcome some problems before it sees substantial growth-and some of these problems are self- inflicted "The worst problem is that we are being led by technologists and propeller-heads today," says Berge Ayvazian, Chief Strategy Officer of the Yankee Group. "We need to be led by marketers and entrepreneurs," he continues.
From Telecommunications Magazine, May 23, 2006
Google Finds Muni Wi-Fi Not So Easy
It takes more WiFi nodes than you'd think to set up a municipal wireless hot-zone, Google is finding, as it "unwires" its home town of Mountain View in Northern California. It seems to be a pattern. According to Ben Charny's eWeek blog, "Google's begun testing the network and, in so doing, has discovered it might need to add more WiFi transmitters than originally thought to deliver the coverage and service quality it promised, according to Ellis Burns, the city's economic development manager."
From News Wireless, May 17, 2006
Hattiesburg, Miss., Considers Wi-Fi
The city council is preparing to vote Tuesday on a contract with Hattiesburg company MegaGate Broadband, which currently provides the bulk of its technological infrastructure, to install the service later this summer.
From Hattiesburg American, May 13, 2006
Nokia, Google Partnership Highlights Wi-Fi Trend
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday on its Web site that Nokia will launch on Tuesday a version of its handheld Internet browsing device containing Google's Google Talk service, which allows for voice connections and instant messaging. It is an upgrade to a Nokia product that came out last year, the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, the Finnish company's first mobile device that also isn't a cellphone.
From Cellular News, May 13, 2006
IBM, Alvarion WiMAX Alliance for Public Safety
Alvarion has announced an alliance with IBM to offer and deliver wireless systems to municipalities and their public safety agencies. Based on a unique pilot wireless network implementation in Fresno, the 6th largest city in California, the IBM and Alvarion information communication technology (ICT) system is comprised of IBM's suite of productivity-enhancing mobile applications built on Alvarion's broadband and mobile wireless systems.
From BusinessWire, May 10, 2006
