The Book of Wireless, Second Edition

Municipal Wi-Fi Networks

Public Wi-Fi services with multiple access points that cover an entire neighborhood or even a whole city seem like the logical extension of individual hot spots. It seems like a very good deal for city governments, who often think they can collect franchise fees or payments to place Wi-Fi antennas on utility poles and possibly obtain free wireless Internet service for government agencies while they provide high-speed Internet access to their communities. The idea of use-it-anywhere Wi-Fi, both for laptops and other portables, and as an alternative to cable and DSL connections, seems like a logical new type of public utility, just like electricity and the public water supply. Therefore, many towns and cities around the ...