News Philly goes WiFi

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/10/11/philadelphia_wifi/

 

Well well, when is this gonna happen in the UK? I guess I'm okish in Sheffield as the uni is spread over a wide area in the city and I can grab wireless off the uni in quite a lot of places outside.

As for low income houses, I don't think the people would be able to afford the costs of using the wireless, so it is effiectively the same as having your own house internet connection. But I agree, wimax is a better idea as it covers a hell lot more area than wifi!

On top of lamp posts? I can see people climbing up and nicking them!

 

[Subsidies to low income households - what kind of low income households can afford WiFi laptops?]Depends how you class 'low income'. A cheap desktop and a WiFi card isn't too expensive, and however you slice it, $10 a month is CHEAP for broadband.

The whole idea of subsidising internet access for lower income people strikes a nerve with me. Free internet access is something I think people should have access to, but they can get that at a library. Why should wealthier people be subsidising poorer people to surf the net at home? If the Philadelphia authorities think net access is such a basic, essential service, why not make it free for everyone? If I were an ISP in that area I'd be kicking up merry hell right now!

 

It's also a good marketing campain for the city, as tourists and business people would be able to tap into the service for a small sign up fee.
Although many hotels and business centers already offer this type of service, in this case it would be city wide.

 

It would be nice in the parks, etc, but for houses it's just crazy! Most people in the States alreay have cable TV or a phone line, so what's wrong with DSL or cable?

WiMax is also a good alternative. As you said this would be the perfect opportunity to see how it performs on a large scale.

And what about internet through your power lines?

 

this is a horrible idea. good for earthlink bad for other isp's. would be fine if it were provided for free via a tax or soemthing.. "advantage of living here: roads, streetlights, sewer system, water system, free internet access"