I was recently interviewed for a research paper being written by James Sison of the “One Economy Corporation”:1. James is researching how cities and other municipalities can prepare themselves for implementing wireless and broadband services. I spoke to James about how broadband development in this country, and especially in New York City, is both slower and more expensive than in Europe and Asia.
I also commented to him about “a previous post”:2 where I wrote about the full cost of broadband in NYC versus the cost of a computer. In the US, we pay a premium for our connectivity, and this makes no sense when you consider how much commerce takes place online:
bq. New York City (Community Nonprofit Model)
bq. Dana Spiegel of NYCwireless (“http://www.nycwireless.net”:3) runs a non-profit group that “enables the growth of free, public wireless Internet access in New York City.” The all-volunteer network manages more than 100 wi-fi hotspots located in public spaces and underserved neighborhoods. “The growth of the global economy depends on how many people you can get online,” says executive director Spiegel. “Over a three year period, people will spend an average of $1800 in New York ($50/mo x 36 mo) just to get online. You’d think that tech companies would give computers and Internet access away, just so they can get consumers to spend more money online.”
[1]http://www.one-economy.com/
[2]http://www.wirelesscommunity.info/2005/05/05/testimony-to-the-new-york-city-council’s-technology-in-government-committee/
[3]http://www.nycwireless.net
Filed under: Interview, Muniwireless, News, NYCwireless
