Fight for public Wireless Internet in Philadelphia

[UL_Approved]

<snip>

A bill was introduced at the state level in Pennsylvania that would prohibit the kind of networks that Philly plans to build. Comcast and Verizon denied any interest in suppressing the plan, noting that the bill has been in the works for a year, and includes a revamp of educational telecommunications funding.

<snip>

Once complete, the network would deliver broadband Internet almost anywhere radio waves can travel -- including poor neighborhoods where high-speed Internet access is now rare. Comcast has their corporate HQ in Philadelphia. Past experience indicates Comcast will do most anything to preserve their monopoly.

"The private sector is doing what the private sector always did, which is serve rich people," said Mark Cooper, research director for Washington-based Consumer Federation of America, defending the plan for a Philadelphia Cloud.

<snip>

It looks as if Pennsylvania is having a battle with corporate interests. Municipal authorities in Philadelphia want to put up hundreds to thousands of WiFi hotspots all over the city, but a state law is in the works to prevent it. This is apparently sponsored by Comcast, also headquartered in Philadelphia, who is trying to maintain a wireless monopoly in that area.

Source:

http://www.dailywireless.org/index.php

Other articles:

City Plan:
http://www.phila.gov/wireless/
http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-wirelesssep01,0,1606449.story?coll=all-businesslocal-hed
Social implications:
http://www.phila.gov/ohcd/ohcd.htm
Social implications:
http://www.phila.gov/ohcd/ohcd.htm
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/10210849.htm?1c

[Brundle_Fly]

1. Its so screwy that hotels

and the like are charging $14.95 a half hour for wireless access when they have to buy a router ($89) and get a monthly connection.

Wireless will be completely screwed, it should be free, but it wont, there is money to be made of the air.

[UL_Approved]

2. This would be a good campaign to push in DU

The city of Philadelphia obviously wants to make this come true. If some support poured in from other areas, or from within the city, it could turn the tide. According to law, at least for DSL, if a carrier wants to come in, the existing carriers HAVE to let them in. In some cases, they even have to provide hardware. This would be nice if kicked.

[Brundle_Fly]

3. All it would do

is show the corporations there is a new market.
and we'd be supplying their demographical info for them


do I sound jaded? sorry

[bryant69]

4. Why should it be free?

Just because you want it?

It will cost money to set up the network and maintain it, won't it?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Brundle_Fly]

5. sure.

it'll cost very little, so a nominal fee is understandable.

but we are not talking about a phone grid or something expansive, we are talking about a very low cost massive communication hub.

they will make a fortune.

[bryant69]

7. And the problem with that is?

Look if they are pursuing unethical tactics, I'm all for slamming on them. I am 100% against just letting corporations do whatever they want.

On the other hand this attitude that a Corporation making money is something we Liberals should be against, well, that's just as annoying. What's wrong with them making money?

Bryant

[UL_Approved]

8. This is about monopoly and discrimination

The whole point of this post was to highlight how Comcast is milking the market for all it is worth in Philadelphia instead of working on providing service across the board. The city itself wants a plan that would cut into their market share. This will be funded by tax dollars. It is not free. It IS equitable. That is why this article is important. The city wants to provide WiFi to poorer neighborhoods instead of that being reserved for the rich through higher connection costs that are in place now. Comcast is backing a law to eliminate any chance of the city setting up a Metropolitan Area Network. This is nothing short of corporate greed and unfair business practice. In the end, I'll bet many Republican business types will side with the city due to a better price scheme. This goes across the board. The whole area of Philadelphia will be a WiFi hotspot if the city gets to implement its plan.

[Misunderestimator]

6. All the hotels I've stayed at are either free (usually) or charge $10

for an entire day.