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March 12, 2006 • 1:27 pm 1

Why Muni-wireless advocates should be pushing for more public spectrum

J.H. Snider writes on his “Telecom Policy Blog”:1 about why “Municipal WiFi and Spectrum Policy go hand in hand”:2. His arguments are clear and to the point, and this is something that I wholeheartedly agree with. I would go a step further and say that in addition to muniwireless advocates, both techno-savvy consumers and technology companies that create hardware that uses unlicensed spectrum — such as Wi-Fi and network equipment vendors like Cisco, Netgear, and Apple — should be pushing for more public spectrum as well. These are people and companies that are going to be crowded by the addition of city-wide Wi-Fi deployments, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t create a larger public resource for everyone to play in.

bq. For the last several years municipal WiFi policy advocates have been in survival mode. With more than a dozen legislatures — and many more waiting in the wings — seeking various ways to fatally wound municipal WiFi, the overwhelming first priority of municipal WiFi advocates has been to fight off this mortal threat. This agenda made sense. If you’re dead, the rest of life’s treats become irrelevant.

bq. But it’s now clear that municipal WiFi will not die. Sure, attempts to kill it will continue. And, here and there, some of those attempts will probably succeed. But the municipal WiFi movement is no longer in its cradle. It’s now a strapping adolescent and couldn’t be destroyed without a highly visible, blood spattered battle–a type of battle disliked by the vast majority of successful politicians.

bq. Thus, I believe the time is right for municipal WiFi advocates to shift at least some of their focus to spectrum policy. Why is this important? Because municipal WiFi uses unlicensed spectrum, and the quality and quantity of that spectrum has a direct bearing on the cost and quality of the broadband services they can provide. The more unlicensed spectrum they have, especially in the lower frequencies, the better and more affordable the service they can provide.

[1]http://www.jhsnider.net/telecompolicy/
[2]http://quixote.blogs.com/telecompolicy/2006/03/spectrum_policy.html

Filed under: Community Wireless, Muniwireless, Policy

March 8, 2006 • 4:27 pm 3

Wireless Toronto welcomes news of Toronto Hydro WiFi Plan, hopes for Public Consultation

Gabe Sawney and the rest of the “Wireless Toronto”:1 Community Wireless Group, have “put out a response”:2 to “Toronto Hydro’s Municipal Wireless plan”:4:

bq. Local community group Wireless Toronto has expressed a positive response to yesterday’s Toronto Hydro announcement.

bq. The group sees Toronto Hydro Telecom’s plan to blanket Toronto’s downtown core with WiFi as an ambitious one with far-reaching consequences. Bearing close resemblance to municipal wireless initiatives in Philadelphia and San Francisco, Toronto Hydro’s plan expands the local internet access market.

bq. Gabe Sawhney, a volunteer from Wireless Toronto says, “In addition to having important economic implications for individual consumers and businesses, the new availability of wireless access enabled by the proposed mesh architecture in areas of the city that currently have little or no access, is of key importance. The blanketing of the downtown core with seamless, and lower-cost network access opens the door to exciting opportunities for innovation and improved access among local residents, community groups, artists, and small businesses.”

bq. Focused on exploring ways free wireless networking technology can be used in interesting and innovative ways, Wireless Toronto is excited to hear further details from Toronto Hydro. In particular, Wireless Toronto looks forward to a process of public consultation that engages a variety of stakeholders affected by this initiative.

bq. A non-profit, all-volunteer community group dedicated to encouraging no-cost public access to WiFi in public spaces, Wireless Toronto has a growing network of community-based hotspots across the GTA.

bq. Once complete, Toronto Hydro’s WiFi zone will be Canada’s largest. Currently, the city’s largest public WiFi hotspot is at St. Lawrence Market, launched in November 2005 by Wireless Toronto and the South Market Tenant’s Association, and it is free to use. A full list of other free WiFi hotspots offered by Wireless Toronto can be found at: http://wirelesstoronto.ca, and an in-depth blog discussion of the proposed Toronto Hydro plan can be found at http://wirelesstoronto.ca/blog/

Wireless Toronto has done an excellent job building free, public hotspots throughout Toronto. They should be pushing for Toronto Hydro Telecom to:

# Offer or sponsor free hotspots, through Toronto Wireless, in public spaces (like parks, street corners, etc.)
# Provide grant money for putting on events/projects using their Wi-Fi network
# Consult with Wireless Toronto as the Community Wireless Group to better understand *how* to deploy public wireless, and what it can mean for the community

[1]http://wirelesstoronto.ca
[2]http://wirelesstoronto.ca/blog/?p=9
[3]http://wirelesstoronto.ca/wt_hotspot_locations.php
[4]http://www.wirelesscommunity.info/2006/03/08/toronto-canada-to-deploy-large-municipal-wireless-network/

Filed under: Community Wireless, Muniwireless

March 8, 2006 • 12:37 pm 0

Toronto, Canada to deploy large municipal wireless network

Toronto Hydro Telecom “has announced”:1 that they will be installing a municipal wireless network throughout Toronto. This will make Toronto the largest municipal wireless effort in Canada, and is similar to similar efforts in Philadelphia and San Francisco. One of the interesting aspects of the project is how Toronto Hydro Telecom became a proponent of muni-wireless:

bq. In Ontario, where smart meters have been mandated, electrical utilities are looking at various telecommunications technologies for retrieving data from people’s homes and businesses for time-of-day billing purposes.

bq. Sources say Toronto Hydro has decided to support its smart meter plan using Wi-Fi technology, which can be accessed by any properly equipped laptop or handheld computing device.

bq. Brian Sharwood, a telecom analyst with the Seaboard Group in Toronto, said it makes sense for a utility to recoup the cost of supporting smart meters by also selling wireless broadband services. “In a way that’s the excuse to do all of this,” he said. “You’re going to run it past a lot of people anyway.”

bq. …

bq. But municipalities argue that competition is healthy and that blanketing communities with low-cost broadband access helps bridge the digital divide.

[1]http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1141643034143&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

Filed under: International, Muniwireless, News, Policy

March 7, 2006 • 8:14 am 0

Out of the loop

Esme Vos of “MuniWireless”:2 writes in the New York Daily News about how “New Yorkers are left behind when it comes to low-cost, high-speed Internet”:1. Esme is absolutely correct when she highlights the lack of attention our City government has given this issue:

bq. Although New York City has recently awarded pilot contracts for building a Wi-Fi network for the Police and Fire Departments, this system is not intended for use by the public. And although New York recognizes how wireless communications can enhance public security, it has not fully grasped the potential that low-cost wireless networks provide in reducing the cost of other city services. Nor has it fully tackled the market failure that exists when consumers have only two equally expensive choices for high-speed Internet access (Verizon or Time Warner Cable in some boroughs; Verizon or Cablevision in others).

NYCwireless has been pushing these ideas for some time, and while there are certainly some attentive members of government like City Councilmember Gale Brewer, mostly what we say and do (like build free public hotspots in parks) falls on deaf ears.

[1]http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/396732p-336268c.html
[2]http://www.muniwireless.com

Filed under: Community Wireless, Muniwireless, New York City, News, NYCwireless, Policy

March 7, 2006 • 12:26 am 0

Lily Pad Hotspots Cover Cincinnati With Free Wi-Fi

Lily Pad, a non-profit in Cincinnati, has “developed an innovative model”:1 for deploying hotspots throughout that city:

bq. Called Lily Pad, the partnership combines efforts from the City of Cincinnati, Time Warner Cable, and the Lily Pad non-profit organization. The endeavor has already resulted in the establishment of more than 20 Lily Pads or “pods,” each with numerous hotspots and still more access points. Another 55 or more are slated to be established in the coming weeks.

bq. …

bq. Following a model popular on many U.S. highways — the “Adopt A Highway” program — the Lily Pad group enlisted volunteers and designed a system that called for small donations to sponsor individual hotspots for three years. “A family might sponsor a community square for $150 a month,” said Rybold, “or a larger area for $500.”

This sounds like a very interesting idea, and is really just a more formalized and accessible version of NYCwireless’ “community hotspots”:2. The model is a great way to build community, by creating visibility around people who give back to their neighbors — an idea that NYCwireless supports.

[1]http://www.techweb.com/headlines_week/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=181401221
[2]http://www.nycwireless.net/hotspot

Filed under: Community Wireless, Muniwireless, News, Urban Wireless

March 6, 2006 • 12:18 am 0

Dutch telecoms regulator to force cable companies to open their networks

Esme Vos “reports on MuniWireless”:1 about the telecom policies being enacted in the Netherlands. The policies, which will force cable companies to open their networks to competitors. This policy brings their cable regulation in line with their telco regulation that requires the phone companies to provide open access to their competitors:

bq. OPTA, the Netherlands telecoms regulator, is planning to force cable companies in the Netherlands to open up their networks to competitors. This comes as no surprise to people following European telecoms regulatory affairs. The EU member states have forced the incumbent telcos to open up their networks to competitors, so it just makes sense for them to force the cable companies to do the same.

What strikes me is how this is *the exact opposite* of how the FCC decided this issue last year. It also strikes me that the Netherlands policy is far more forward thinking and promotes healthy competition, unlike the monopoly policy of the FCC.

[1]http://www.muniwireless.com/municipal/watch/1078/

Filed under: International, Network Neutrality, News, Policy

March 3, 2006 • 12:09 pm 0

Wireless news from Philadelphia this week

Laura Forlano, one of the “NYCwireless Board Members”:3, was a speaker at Wireless Day in Philadelphia. She reports:

bq. In terms of the Philadelphia project, the most interesting thing that I learned is that the government has been able to significantly influence the type of network that Earthlink is building through extensive negotiations about the social-economic goals of the network. By being the first city to announce such plans, Philadelphia had a lot of leverage in the negotiations. In addition, the Wireless Philadelphia organization intends to remain involved as a 501(c)(3) following the implementation of the network. Specifically, the organization would work to insure that low-income communities are getting the benefits of the network through skills training and other activities. Also, I learned that the Philadelphia City Council still needs to approve the overall project, which is complicated because Philadelphia is made up of a number of neighborhoods that had their own governments. The best person to talk to for more information is Derek Pew, the Interim CEO of Wireless Philadelphia.

bq. Also, Wireless Philadelphia does not replace the need for a more grassroots community organization in Philadelphia to drive innovative uses and applications on the network once it is built.

And on Wi-Fi Net News, Glenn Fleishman “reports”:1 on the details of the Philadelphia Municipal Wireless network deal with Earthlink, which was finalized on March 1:

bq. “The AP reports that Philadelphia has signed its contracts with EarthLink”:2: The deal includes 4,000 utility poles and $300,000 in utility payments from EarthLink per year plus $2 million in advance payments against revenue. These funds will be used to purchase 10,000 computers and training for low-income families; Phila. has a huge computer ownership gap as well as broadband and Internet access gap. The non-profit Wireless Philadelphia will receive five percent of EarthLink’s revenue, which is roughly the same as cable franchise fees. EarthLink will also provide $9.95 per month accounts for up to 25,000 low-income households, and 22 free Wi-Fi hotspots around down.

bq. The contract spans 10 years and is estimated to cost $20 to $22 million to fulfill. Note that this isn’t a different number from earlier expectations. The network was originally expected to cost $10 to $12 million to build and $1m per year to maintain. Over 10 years, an estimated $20-$22m conforms to that range.

bq. The city government will receive 3,000 accounts -— 1,250 free, 1,750 discounted -— and 700 discounted “T-1″ accounts, the AP reports, which are really point-to-multipoint broadband wireless connections over the Motorola Canopy aggregation network. Not mentioned here is Philadelphia moving other chunks of its existing data and telecom spending to Wireless Philadelphia and EarthLink; that amount was once estimated in the millions per year.

bq. EarthLink’s wholesale rate will be higher than the rate that Wireless Philadelphia initially anticipated: $12 per month rather than $9 per month. This rate could vary based on volume of customers by retail partners. Retail pricing isn’t noted here, but an EarthLink representative confirmed Thursday that the expect rate is about $20 per month, but that some retail partners will certainly offer lower prices.

bq. The next step? A 15-square-mile test network.

[1]http://wifinetnews.com/archives/006332.html
[2]http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/13992299.htm
[3]http://www.nycwireless.net/about

Filed under: Community Wireless, Muniwireless, News, NYCwireless, Policy

March 3, 2006 • 11:36 am 0

How-To put a 60' high tower in your yard just to get high-speed wireless internet

Kevin “GooD” Lavallé used a 56kbps modem for 9 years. When a new WISP came to his town of 2000 people, he was compelled upgrade. Unfortunately, a church steeple stood between him and the WISP’s antenna. No problem! “Put up a 60 foot high tower”:1!

[1]http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=301

Filed under: Community Wireless

March 2, 2006 • 10:53 pm 1

Sen. Wyden offers Internet neutrality bill

“Reuters reports”:1 on a new “Net Neutrality”:2 protection bill that has been introduced into the Senate by “Senator Ron Wyden”:3 (D-OR):

bq. “Neutrality in technology enables small businesses to thrive on the Internet, and allows folks to start small and dream big, and that’s what I want to protect with this legislation,” he said in a statement.

bq. …

bq. “People get nervous when they hear a member of Congress talk about regulating the Internet and America’s broadband networks,” said Verizon spokesman David Fish. “This is an attempt to fix a hypothetical problem that doesn’t exist.”

bq. However, companies like Web search engine Google Inc. (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Internet telephone provider Vonage Holdings Corp. counter that a private fast Internet could block users of their services and stifle innovation.

[1]http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=governmentFilingsNews&storyID=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060302:MTFH08897_2006-03-02_22-55-27_N02376259:1
[2]http://www.wirelesscommunity.info/network-neutrality
[3]http://wyden.senate.gov/

Filed under: Network Neutrality, News

March 2, 2006 • 2:38 pm 0

Celebrate the release of Bruce Kushnick's new ebook — $200 Billion Broadband Scandal

bq. TELETRUTH NEWS ALERT: All are invited!

bq. *Special Book Signing Edition — Jeweled Boxed CD Version.*

bq. *Monday, March 6th, 2006, 7PM*

bq. “*The Half King*”:1
*505 W 23rd Street*
*New York, NY 10011*
212.462.4300

bq. Did America pay over $200 billion for fiber optic broadband services we never received? Is this why America is 16th in the world in broadband? Are you owed $2000.00 from Verizon, SBC, BellSouth or Qwest?

bq. Get your own autographed (CD) copy — Help Send Kushnick to Washington!

bq. The New York Times, Muniwireless, Good Morning Silicon Alley, Techdirt, Media Access — “a ‘sordid story’ of business fraud” — “damning list of indictments” — “meticulously documents” — “a powerful critique” — “serve as a warning for the promises made by the Bells today.” — “A Rant: All 406 Pages of it.”

bq. DSLPrime, Broadband Reports, Cook, Voic.us, Sociate, NYCwireless board member: “talented, persistent, honest” — “brilliantly documented this fraud” — “stunning in its implications.” — “Kushnick is in a long tradition of advocates like Ida Tarbell and Jane Jacobs” — “Anyone who wants the U.S. to thrive in this connected future should read Kushnick’s book.”

bq. Can’t make it and want to make a difference: Buy the book, donate money to help send Kushnick to Washington DC.

bq. More about the Book, Donate, Online ebook Version, about the Author: “http://www.newnetworks.com/broadbandscandals.htm”:2

bq. Read what the Experts are Blogging About: “http://200billionscandal.typepad.com”:4

bq. “Teletruth”:4 is a nationwide, independent customer alliance dedicated to broadband and telecommunications issues and a former member of the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee (2003-2004).

[1]http://www.thehalfking.com
[2]http://www.newnetworks.com/broadbandscandals.htm
[3]http://200billionscandal.typepad.com/
[4]http://www.teletruth.org

Filed under: Community Wireless, Event, New York City, Policy

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