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Silver Lining From Silicon Valley?
As always these days in the MuniWireless market, there is a mix of good news and bad this week: Problems in the Silicon Valley initiative; a new digital inclusion initiative in Houston; and funding for a new high-speed network in South Dakota. The challenge, with all of the tumult in the market, is figuring out what's the good news and what's the bad news. The Silicon Valley announcement is a case in point.
In case you missed it, Azulstar is now out as the main contractor for Wireless Silicon Valley, hoisted not on its own petard but by its inability to raise the funding necessary to build out the network. Sounds like bad news, right? Wireless Silicon Valley, back to the drawing board, another colossal carcass waiting to be picked and poked at by the media. And, from that perspective, it is bad news - this is a market that does not need any more bad press, because the negative publicity just makes it more difficult for those municipalities with legitimate business models to make the case for funding and public support.
But the silver lining in this, we hope, is the reiterated dose of reality that, unless there is a clear business model, and a clear funding model, and a clear set of applications, then perhaps it doesn't make sense to set out on a course for a massive network that has little chance for success and greater chance for bringing negative energy to the market. It is noteworthy that, the day before the Silicon Valley announcement, we posted an article on a new report from ABI Research, which concludes that "we need to change our expectations of what a municipal WiFi network is actually good for, from 'free Internet access for all,' to a narrower, higher value role centering on public safety and municipal workers".
If that were to actually happen, it would be good news indeed.
Also, a correction from last week's newsletter: the budget for the Gainesville (Florida) Regional Utility wireless network is $3-$4 million, not $10 million as we reported last week.
Public Broadband in China and Beyond: Global Wireless City Summit Beijing, January 16-17, 2008
Here's your chance to learn about the rapidly-growing market for wireless networks around China and the Pacific Rim. In conjunction with BII Group, China's premier technology events company, MuniWireless is co-producing the first Global Wireless City Summit in Beijing from January 16-17, 2008. To be held at the beautiful Presidential Plaza Beijing, the Summit will bring together leaders from government, business and education to determine how China's many rapidly-growing cities can benefit from next-generation wireless networks to support their economic growth.
Up to 400 decision-makers from across China are expected to attend. Speakers at the Global Wireless City Summit will include numerous high-level national and local government officials, technology company executives, and academics from China and Taiwan. Scheduled lecturers from the United States include Chris Vein, Chief Information Officer for the City of San Francisco; Andrew Myles, President of the WiFi Alliance; and Mo Shakouri, Vice President of the WiMAX Forum.
For more information, click here.
Picks of the week:
Interview: AnchorFree's Mark Smith on the Wi-Fi ad model
Houston puts EarthLink Wi-Fi penalty to work
Azulstar out as WSV lead
ABI: Public safety, applications shape muni Wi-Fi's future
Motorola's revolving door
Commentary: Why Google is bidding to win in the 700 MHz auction
Other news this week:
S. Dakota unveils plan for a high-speed data network
Long Island communities evaluate surveillance networks
Broadband speeds increased everywhere except US, Mideast and Africa
Freedom of speech versus network owners' desire for control
Corporate donor rallies for Wireless Philadelphia
Gasp! 54% use Wi-Fi without permission
Portland muni Wi-Fi network enables private enterprise
Order the MuniWireless 2007 State of the Market Report
Latest news on U.S. federal and state regulations
Mark Your Calendar: April 28-30, 2008 -- MuniWireless08DC
The MuniWireless staff is already deep into planning our 2008 conference program, starting with MuniWireless08DC. This two-and-a-half-day conference will take place April 28-30 at the Marriott Bethesda (MD) Conference Center, and will feature more than 50 world-class speakers, an expended exhibit hall and a strong emphasis upon critical applications such as Public Safety and transforming technologies such as WiMAX. Look for more information soon about the program and registration over the next few weeks.
2nd Annual Municipal Wireless Cities Summit
Thursday, January 31st and Friday, February 1st, 2008 in Toronto
Ensure the success of your deployment! Attend and get Best Practices, Innovative Solutions, the Latest Benchmarks from 15+ established industry Case Studies dealing with:
- Successful funding models (public/private)
- Pros & Cons of "Anchor Tenancy"
- Key success factors in Build-outs
- Legal issues affecting deployments
- Next generation hardware that delivers
MuniWireless Subscribers - mention code 108005-MW and receive an EXCLUSIVE 20% discount off the Regular Summit rate!
Register today by calling 1-866-298-9343 or emailing registrations@strategyinstitute.com.
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