Discussing the pros and cons of Toledo's wireless Internet project.
Note: This page displays fine in the Firefox browser, but in the IE browser, the "for it" column displays much narrower than the "against" column. If you know CSS well and have a solution, let me know.
- Toledo govt didn't seek enough input from local businesses and universities.1
- Since the Jan 2007 announcement, City may be rushing the project.
- Taxpayers could pay over $2 million for the project.2
- MetroFi's business model of offering free service does not make economic sense.3
- MetroFi's main income source is two venture capital firms.
- Advertising alone is not expected to generate enough money to cover installation and maintenance costs.
- Toledo already has dozens of wireless "hot spots" around the city.4
- 2005 study ranked Toledo fifth on the most unwired list.
- Toledo only received two proposals.5
- Access is not available inside homes and apartments.6
- Residents will need to purchase additional hardware to get service.
- Unstable project leadership7
- Director of Toledo’s Department of Information Services quits or was fired Jun 21, 2007.
- Lack of funding support by City Council.8
- Next-gen wireless technology is "right around the corner," which could make WiFi irrelevant.9
References
1 Feb 18, 2007 Toledo Blade story
2 May 31, 2007 Toledo Blade story
3 Mar 13, 2007 Toledo Blade story
4 Jun 7, 2005 Toledo Talk thread Toledo unwired
5 Feb 21, 2007 Toledo Blade story
6 May 31, 2007 story Cities Struggle With Wireless Internet
7 Jun 22, 2007 Toledo Blade story Toledo Wi-Fi chief quits, then is fired in dispute with mayor
8 Jun 26, 2007 Toledo Blade story Toledo council withholds OK for $2.16M Wi-Fi plan; answers sought to financial, legal concerns
9 Jul 3, 2007 Toronto Star story WiFi revolution hits a snag
Other Sources
- Jun 19, 2007 Buckeye Institute: Caution Warranted on Toledo Wi-Fi
- Jul 19, 2007 WiMax goes mainstream: Sprint, Clearwire to build national network
- Jul 27, 2007 Google, Sprint to team up on WiMax Portal
- Aug 15, 2007 BusinessWeek: Why Wi-Fi Networks Are Floundering
- Aug 28, 2007 AP: Chicago scraps plans for Wi-Fi network
- Aug 29, 2007 State Journal-Register: AT&T cancels citywide Wi-Fi plan
- Aug 30, 2007 SF Chronicle: S.F. citywide Wi-Fi plan fizzles as provider backs off
- Aug 30, 2007 Economist: Reality Bites
- Sep 4, 2007 Wired: What's Behind the Epidemic of Municipal Wi-Fi Failures?
- Provides free or discounted service to low income families.
- Free service to city agencies, such as police and fire departments.
- Could improve public safety by reducing response times.
- Receiving instructions in the field will lead to fuel savings.
- "In Corpus Christi, emergency rooms doctors can see what paramedics see at the scene of an emergency."
- Free wireless access in certain public buildings and outdoor areas.
- Subscriptions for other users, which will be about $20 to $25 per month.
- Installation will not cost the taxpayers a penny.
- The wireless Internet cloud will cover all 88 square miles of Toledo.
- Will appeal to visitors.
- Will appeal to the younger, plugged-in generation.
- Could help slow Toledo's "brain drain" of young professionals.
- Could attract young professionals to Toledo.
- May help jump-start small businesses.
External sources
- Jan 18, 2007 Toledo Blade story
- Feb 2, 2007 Toledo Blade op-ed
- Jun 13, 2007 Toledo City Paper Why Wi-Fi?
- Jun 15, 2007 Letter to Blade by Toledo's IT director
