Wifi Revolution

Recent reports have documented the longer daily commutes that more and more people are experiencing as they travel to and from work. For many, this provides an opportunity to read the newspaper or chat with friends or colleagues. But, especially in metro regions, where many people commute via train or bus, this time can also be used as a productive time for business, especially for reading and responding to emails, which, for many, can be a lengthy process each day.

 

For people fortunate enough to have EV-DO cards for their laptops, this is an easy initiative. But wireless service providers, like Mountain View, California-based MetroFi, are making it possible for thousands of others as well.  With wireless metro networks already in operation in Cupertino, Foster City, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale in California, and Aurora, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon, MetroFi has now rolled out its city-wide consumer wireless service in Concord, California as well.

 

Having completed the initial phase of deployment, MetroFi now covers more than 60% of the developed areas of Concord, with more than 250 Access Points (APs), which enable users to connect to the Internet with any WiFi (News - Alert)-enabled device. This means that people can surf the Web, check email, make VoIP calls, while away from their homes or offices. MetroFi expects to complete the Concord network this summer, when it will have provided wireless access to 95% of Concord with DSL-like connection speeds.

 

Unlike many metro networks, however, the MetroFi networks provide free access to residents, employees, and visitors, where they otherwise would not enjoy connectivity, through an advertising sponsored business model. While accessing the Internet, users will be exposed to a variety of local and national online advertisements, which help pay for the service. 

 

“There are numerous social and economic benefits with a municipal WiFi network. For instance, MetroFi's network can provide significant cost-savings to residents, visitors, and local businesses, while helping to bridge the digital divide and improving productivity for Concord's mobile workers,” says Chuck Haas, MetroFi’s president and CEO.

 

While this may seem like an annoyance to some, it is a small price to pay for free wireless access where it otherwise would not exist. Furthermore, in addition to providing access throughout the city, including on mass transit routes, the service makes Internet access available to lower income households that otherwise might not be able to afford it. For those that simply do not want to deal with the ads, of course, a premium service option is available for a $19.95 monthly fee.

 

If this seems like an odd business model, it shouldn’t. After all, we experience similar situations with other media types as well. Over-the-air radio and television broadcasts are both ad-supported, and both are widely used services. Of course, for those willing to pay for ad-free radio, subscription-based satellite radio is available. So, this is not a new development. Rather, it is a proven method for bringing inexpensive service offerings to the mass public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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