MuniWireless

No one is surprised by news of yet another municipal wireless project delayed. In this case it’s Wireless Washtenaw county in Michigan, whose provider, 20/20 Communications, needs $10 million to finish the network. They have already spent between $2 million and $3 million. They say they are not pulling out of the project (like MetroFi and EarthLink has done in other places). Indeed, 20/20 Communications has paying customers and a waiting list of 3000 people. According to this article, Livingston County has plans for a countywide network, also using MichTel Communications. I wonder if that will ever go through given that the network will cost $50 million to deploy. Last week, Oakland County (also in Michigan) decided to put their network expansion plans on hold because MichTel Communications, their partner, could not find investors willing to put up more funds for the network.

Related news:

Racine County Wi-Fi: providing access where it’s really needed

Craven County, North Carolina goes wireless: rural Wi-Fi connects schools, towns

Cambria County, Pennsylvania launches countywide wireless network

Update on Michigan muni Wi-Fi projects: wireless Oakland county and others delayed