In the past few months, Portland Wi-Fi enthusiasts have openly criticized the performance of MetroFi’s network, which is being deployed throughout the city. MetroFi has been adding more wireless nodes to support demand and its latest figures show significant increases in user numbers and hours spent on the network. MetroFi has been busy rolling out its network and addressing the complaints aired by Portland Wi-Fi enthusiasts who tested the network’s wireless connections in various locations last March.
Between March and April 2007, the MetroFi network saw a 36% increase in the number of people using the free (ad-supported) service and a 45% increase in the number of hours spent by users on the network. For more details go to Portland Wi-Fi Usage Jumps Again.
Of course the number of people using it — 8,000 — is tiny given Portland’s population (half a million) but as the article mentioned, if it’s the right 8000 that advertisers want, MetroFi can’t complain.
We have been covering the Portland network as well as the issues around it, such as business models, extensively. Here are the latest articles posted on Muniwireless:
Muni Wi-Fi’s evolving business case (with comment from Matthew Lampe, Portland CTO)
Good news, bad news in Portland
Test criteria critical for verifying Portland’s Wi-Fi signal coverage
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