More Cities and Towns Want Their Own Wi-Fi
As the city of Philadelphia readies its own Wi-Fi network, Neff has been in demand on the public broadband circuit. She says she’s talked with and given advice to close to 100 cities in 15 countries. In five years, Neff hopes to increase broadband connectivity in Philadelphia from 58 percent to 80 percent and place 10,000 computers in lower-income neighborhoods with training for its residents. "In the end, we’re trying to give people new skills," Neff says. "Wi-Fi is just one tool to help us do this."
It’s too early to determine whether the various municipal Wi-Fi efforts will succeed or fail, but those interested in the evolution of the technology and the debate will be watching closely. Already, predictions are all over the map. "I’ll bet you two years from now, Philadelphia’s network won’t be worth anything," says analyst Balhoff. "I think it’s probable that subscribers won’t be there."
On the other side of the argument, San Francisco’s Vein proclaims, "I think Dianah Neff will have the last laugh. Her model is changing and evolving and, in the end, she will be successful."
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