WiFi-only projects are failing

There is an AP article circulating this morning about failing muni WiFi projects (not yet on the Web). This is something I have been predicting for a long time, based on the past performance of early WiFi efforts.

Here is a short list of problems with municipal WiFi-only efforts:

• WiFi is expensive if you truly want total coverage. Many WiFi projects underestimate the number of access points that are needed--something that is causing problems with the much touted Philadelphia WiFi effort. Some contractors and vendors may be underestimating the number of access points to keep costs lower, so it is important to be realistic during planning stages about what a community can do.
• WiFi is not a business class solution. Few businesses of any size are willing to run their business on a WiFi connection. It may be okay for small one or two person businesses, but most businesses want a more secure and more reliable wired connection.
• WiFi has reliability problems. Even if you are in range of an access point, foliage on trees, building walls, rain, snow, and other access points can degrade the signal. Because WiFi is an unlicensed service, anyone can run an access point. All those home wireless routers can cause interference and slow down other access points.
• WiFi, even the newer G and N services, can't handle video very well, and this limits the potential of such a service to be financially viable. A municipal broadband system has to have a solid business model that is financially sustainable, and that means being able to carry business and residential video services.

Wireless services are often a good first step for a community system. And wireless is not going away; it will remain as an important component of a well-designed community broadband system--as a mobility solution. As we travel around the community, we want to be able to access the Web, check email, make phone calls, and do other sorts of things. Wireless services enable that. But wireless is not a complete solution.

What is?

Communities need to regard telecom as essential public infrastructure, critical to community and economic development. And that well-designed community infrastructure includes both wireless access and fiber to every home and business. With the right business and financial planning, such systems can pay for themselves and provide new revenue streams to local government, while lowering the cost of telecom services. Everybody wins.