[wplug] This is why Wi-Fi - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial

[Zach]

Thought the list would find this interesting. Praying for Big Ben [1].
I can't fathom why he refuses to wear a helemt if he insists on riding
dangerous motorcycles, nor why the Steelers didn't put a no-motorcycle
clause in his contract, nor why the idiotic Pennsylvania state
legislature made it legal to ride without a helmet 2 years ago, and at
the same time they raised speed limit from 55 to 65mph even though it
was proven by experts this would result in more deaths! Ugh!

[1] http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_457685.html

Zach

This is why Wi-Fi

Monday, June 12, 2006

Politicians are on the verge of controlling Internet access.

Municipalities worldwide are creating wireless Internet services that
promise universal accessibility. Wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) virtually
guarantees to be fast, free and far-flung with construction costs paid
for by government-approved providers.

But government's main motivation is self-interest, according to
business consultant Craig Settles, author of "Fighting the Good Fight
for Municipal Wireless: Applying lessons from Philadelphia's WiFi
story." Wi-Fi can eliminate paper work while improving worker
productivity.

Wi-Fi hype is like cable TV's nascent "Blue Sky" period in the late
1960s when its potential seemed limitless. Well before fat franchise
fees paid to local governments for the respective monopolies ensured
that captive audiences of subscribers would get miserable cable
service if they got any at all.

History is repeating itself.

What Internet service provider could compete if municipalities offer
free or very low cost Wi-Fi service? But if former ISP customers
abandon the free market for politicians' promises, they had better not
complain when treated like others dependent on the state.

Politicians having de facto control of Internet access -- to tax Wi-Fi
users, prioritize service or hire political hacks for customer service
-- make "Blue Sky" pale in comparison.