MuniWireless

There is a seemingly steady stream of skepticism in the media and elsewhere about some of the early deployments of muniwireless networks. This is healthy and needed and it’s important that we point out problems so that we can fix them, as long as we view things in the context of problem-solving and not in the context of fear-mongering. There is a seemingly steady stream of skepticism in the media and elsewhere about some of the early deployments of muniwireless networks. This is healthy and needed and it’s important that we point out problems so that we can fix them, as long as we view things in the context of problem-solving and not in the context of fear-mongering.

The reality, of course, is that every early technology market has problems, often severe ones, that take time and energy and money to iron out. There is always fluidity in the technology and in the early business models and in applications and in the ways in which the technology is sold and deployed. I remember six years ago there was the “collapse” of the Internet. Some collapse.

What concerns me, however, about the municipal wireless market is the quick rush to judgment and the constant raising of the question: “Why do municipalities need to do this?” I don’t want to dismiss the question, because it has some legitimacy, and all municipalities should address it for themselves before moving forward.

But the question should also be viewed in this context: Municipal wireless networks are a new venture for municipalities and one in which the potential benefits have been mischaracterized ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ free Internet for everyone! ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ and the potential challenges have been underplayed. That’s one of the reasons where seeing so much movement in business models.

The question should also be viewed in this context: If the muni doesn’t take charge of the network, who will? Who will make sure there’s a network in place to keep police on the street, as in Providence? Who will make sure there’s a network in place to read gas and water meters, saving the city precious time, resources and money, as in Corpus Christi? Who will make sure there’s a network in place to address the needs of individuals who are otherwise marginalized by society? Who will worry about creating an environment in the community that encourages growth and innovation and a welcoming of new technologies?

These, to me, are the key questions. The other stuff, as they have in the past, will get worked out though some combination of time and money and genius and experimentation and experience. Maybe the business models will change, maybe WiMAX will usurp Wi-Fi down the road, maybe there will be whole new technologies that haven’t even been considered yet.

What’s important is that municipalities don’t get so caught up in the reverse hype and fear and skepticism that they lose sight of the incredible opportunity they have to take control of their own destinies and create something of real and lasting value to their residents and communities. The question shouldn’t be: Why do you need to do a municipal network? The question should be: How do you do it to give yourself the best opportunity for success?

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Al Perlman is one of the founders of Microcast Communications, a new media company that operates intergrated media businesses such as Muniwireless and TechIQ. Al has been in the tech publishing business for many years. He conceived and launched Baseline and CIO Insight. Before that he co-founded Interactive Enterprises and the publication Interactive Week. He spent 15 years at CMP Media and spearheaded the launches of Network Computing, Computer Reseller News, VARBusiness, Communications Week, Communications Week International, Computer Systems News and helped engineer a successful turnaround of Information Week.