Cities themselves may be muni Wi-Fi's savior

CITIES THEMSELVES MAY BE MUNI WI-FI'S SAVIOR
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Marguerite Reardon]
Cities that commit to using new Wi-Fi networks for their own use could help rescue the ailing citywide Wi-Fi movement. Like many new technology initiatives, citywide Wi-Fi has been over-hyped. In less than two years, the technology--which provides inexpensive Internet access by using unlicensed wireless spectrum and cheap, industry standard equipment--has gone from savior to sunken ship. But the truth is that blanketing cities with Wi-Fi signals is not inherently a bad idea. Even though some projects have stalled or failed outright, there have also been several success stories. Cities such as Minneapolis, Minn.; Houston, Texas; Burbank, Calif.; and Tucson, Ariz., are moving forward and seeing early signs of success. One of the common threads weaved through each of these deployments is that all of these cities have committed to using the Wi-Fi networks for their own purposes whether it be to provide remote access for mobile city workers, automate meter reading, control traffic congestion or enhance public safety.
http://www.news.com/Cities-themselves-may-be-muni-Wi-Fis-savior/2100-735...