January 2016

Starry announced it would bring gigabit-speed internet access to consumers, without data caps, at a price that is equal or less than your average broadband plan. It was a shocking promise. For nearly all consumers, internet access over the air tops out with 4G LTE speeds. Of course there is Wi-Fi, but that is just a short-range extension of a wireline connection. Even experimental attempts to send internet by drone and balloon never do better than a 4G connection. Is it really possible that this company has made the leap from that to gigabit speeds or better? As it turns out, the technology they are using, millimeter waves, has been achieving this kind of speed over the air for years.

As far back as 1997 startups were raising money with the promise of using it to deliver wireless broadband internet service. But the wave of companies that rose during the dot-com boom largely perished because of technical hurdles and an unsustainable business model. The question for Starry is, has the technology improved enough in the last two decades to compete with wireline broadband in terms of reliability, and has the customer base for broadband expanded enough for the business model to flourish.

An essay on how information technology must abandon its insular focus and “expert” mindset and become a true two-way channel for communication, engagement, and action between government and citizens.