Trends in muni Wi-Fi: Recent perspectives
Occasionally, we read stories that seem so rooted in the ‘where-have-they-been?’ department that they seem hardly worthy of comment. But when those stories appeared in such revered pages as The New York Times, they should be acknowledged. Last week, The Times caught up with trends in muni wireless following EarthLink’s pullback from the market, noting the diminishment of interest in digital divide programs and the shifting focus in the market. If you’ve been reading this blog, you already know about that but The Times does offer an adequate summary in this report (registration may be required.) Glenn Fleishman at Wi-Fi Net News offered an interesting and up-to-date critique of The Times’ somewhat dated information. You can read Glenn’s comments by clicking here.
ABI Research’s report on muni Wi-Fi, released earlier this month also puts a point on trends we’ve been reportin, highlighting the move away from city-wide public access networks that support low-cost access for local residents and digital divide initiatives for low-income families to special use networks that support municipal applications. The report highlights well-known trends, such as the growing emphasis on anchor tenancy and shift in focus to public safety and surveillance networks. But it also offers interesting and substantative research with forecasts that predict that by 2012 the number of unwired square miles covered by muni Wi-Fi networks will grow sixty-fold over the 520 miles served by municipal networks in 2004. ABI’s research stretches internationally with the not-t00-surprising report that the United States leads the world in its muni-wireless reach. Quite a number of states and municipalities in the U.S. have undertaken muni Wi-Fi initiatives in an effort to reach areas that are underserved by major broadband carriers.
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While I have no problem with the accuracy of the reporting of the Times article, its incompleteness in covering the full story of where muni broadband is reflected in the doom-and-gloom headline.
As many of you know, there are several smaller cities launching or building networks using the right business models and sufficiently planning to ensure success. They reflect the new wave of muni networks that will establish baselines for others to emulate.
Minneapolis’ approach, with its long-term commitment to anchor tenancy is one that likely is to be used by mid-size and larger cities. Smaller cities such as Fredericton, New Brunswick and Santa Monica, CA are using creative approaches to forming strategic partnerships and customer relationships with local businesses to deploy networks that are profitable for the cities and financially sustainable. These cities also should be studies closely.
Instead of hand wringing and throwing in the towel, turn to the new set of role models for muni networks, expand your focus from just wireless to broadband so as to include a complete solution of wireless AND wired technologies and renew the charge. 2008 should see numerous cities and regions rolling out projects reflecting a new reality as they answer the question “how do we make these networks successful?”
One philosophical point I adamently disagree with is this notion that municipal ownership is the only “one true” option, particularly in the recent criticisms of Philadelphia for not owning their network. This falls into the same sandpit that caused many muni wireless disasters, which is expecting (demanding) one business model or financing strategy to be best for all cities.
There are many factors cities need to evaluate and concurrently they must consider a full range of possible business scenarios. One city’s success can be another city’s Waterloo.