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What is it? How does it work?
Municipal wireless is known as a network that is run by the government, and is installed using taxpayer funds. Wi-FiPlanet.com

== Implementing Municipal Wireless

802.11 Networking standards
Wireless LAN standard, using unlicensed 2.4 and 5GHz spectrum Faster than cable modem (up to 11 Mbps) Mobility, public safety, community/business development Range limited: 50' to 200' (more with congnitive radios, or if directed, or fewer structures, etc.)

802.16 (WiMax)
Wireless "MAN" standard Targeted average bandwidth: 70Mbps, peak to 268Mbps Standards not quite ripe--current deployments are "pre-WiMAX"

Private enterprise resistance
Anti-competitive Legislation and Misinformation Campaign

Legal Issues

 * Telecommunications Act of 1996
 * Most states do not have legal barriers
 * Missouri Case
 * FCC ruling (“any entity” does not include state political subdivisions
 * Appeal Court unanimously reversed FCC ruling
 * Supreme court reversed Appeal Court
 * Public entities need state/local authority for each activity

Pros
There are a growing number of successful projects. City Services improvement: New revenue stream (charging tourists and visiting business people) Economic stimulation Lower cost in comparison to wired technologies Poor prospects for incumbent provider(s) to meet community needs the provision of communications services is the logical extensions of a century old municipal utility mandate Municipal systems do not “crowd out” private providers any more than the New York City Subway “crowds out” private taxi cabs and car services. To the contrary, studies and factual evidence show that where municipal systems take on the expensive task of building network infrastructure, the number of private providers increases.
 * Public Safety Applications
 * Automated meter readings (gas, electricity, etc.)
 * Automated city vehicle location
 * Increased global competitiveness of local businesses, especially smaller ones.
 * Facilitates easier and cheaper Internet access for students and low income people
 * Perceived increase in the number of telecommuters, including people who work at home and (most important) people who work elsewhere while continuing to live in the city
 * Municipal networks provide the competition necessary to keep rates low and quality of service high.
 * Broadband becomes increasingly important for unprofitable areas including welfare, education and healthcare, which are mostly ignored by private companies
 * Economic constraints (investments, buy-outs, bankruptcies, mergers, and defaults)
 * Inadequate broadband offerings (speed & availability)
 * Inadequate customer service
 * Different orientation to local needs (profit not public service)

Cons
If a city owns the network, it has an unfair advantage against private businesses. This could cause a decline in competition and give the city a monopoly. Internet access is a luxury rather than a necessity, so public funds should not be used to provide it. There is no evidence showing municipal investments in broadband lead to faster economic growth or higher personal incomes. Past failures due to lack of interest or faulty equipment - too risky The equipment itself will one day be obsolete and need replacement. Potential for Government censorship Potential loss of Privacy Broadband services sufficient to meet the needs of residents and business are now available to nearly every residence and business in the U.S., including previously under-served areas There is the potential for financial waste since municipalities can cross-subsidize their services and then claim that the economic shortfalls are simply part of the charge to offer social services for which there is a lesser or negative financial return

State of the Technology today
Commercial products on the market
 * BelAir Wireless Mesh Network
 * Earthlink Municipal Networks
 * Tropos MetroMesh Architecture
 * Nortell Wireless Mesh Network
 * Cisco Outdoor Wireless
 * Motorola Canopy

Looking forward
Google rumored to be planning a nationwide move using advertising-supported Wi-Fi access. InternetNews.com

Success story
Chaska, MN