Just Wondering Wednesday: Has anyone considered free community internet?
Published by Kristy March 7th, 2007 in Site.
Some communites are beginning to offer free internet to the public. But someone has to pick up the tab somewhere along the way.
As far as the Monticello Economic Development Commission is concerned, Derrill Pierce answered this inquiry by saying, “To provide free internet would be competing with private enterprise. We’re in the business of encouraging private enterprise.”
TJ Scott, formerly a Monticellonian and Cablevision internet division employee, emailed a response for this question. He stated:
Free community wireless internet service is an exciting, yet expensive concept. Simply put, two obstacles would have to be overcome. The first: who will pay for the equipment and installation of this equipment? Second: how will the ongoing monthly fees for internet service be paid? You can’t just plug an electronics-store grade wireless access point into the local DSL or cable internet service and feed the whole town, so you are probably looking at around $1,000-$1500/month for the system’s internet access plus the long-range outdoor wireless gear (anywhere between $20,000-$50,000). It’s not impossible, you just need people/businesses who will support it through donations and advertising.
As a side note, the Monticello Economic Development Commission has had discussions with the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority regarding community Wi-Fi services and continues to pursue funding for free Wi-Fi. For now, the finances just aren’t available.
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Although I understand not wanting to be in the business of competing with local businesses,I think free internet would be a an excellent incentive for industries that are looking for communities to come to Monticello(and boost our economy in the long run.)
If you’d like more information on “Community Internet”, please visit:
Free Press - Community Internet.
Comments by the MEDC are valid ones. Maybe they should talk to the Mayor regarding his Recreation Center that would be competing with all 3 of the workout facilities in town in addition to the McCloy park pool.
Anyone who believes that the internet is just a private enterprise needs to slowly work their way through the 1980’s and step into this century. History reveals that the internet was always intended to be free. In the 90’s it was hijacked by good old American consumerism, but if you ask anyone with a real understanding of the history and global impact of the net, he/she will tell you that it is very much like the invention of roads. I wonder what would happen if cities just sat around and waited for “private enterprise” to build roads. Oh yeah, we’d have to pay tolls every few miles! The same thing has happened to cyberspace, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Ideally, communities should provide this virtual road just as they do physical ones. This is not discouraging private enterprise; it is a mark of responsibility for all local communities in the future. If Monticello is not taking active steps to at least plan to provide free community internet in the future (especially wireless), then its leaders are forsaking the citizens, and THAT would truly be bad for business.
Mark and Chris, I think you are both right on the mark. Who pays for street lights, police, fire, street overlays, recreation centers, ball parks, etc.? The city directs our tax money (and other consumer “fees”), as leaders interpret desires of the residents. Government supported, initially, all sorts of public benefits, before private enterprise was sufficiently developed and capitalized to take over. Then, because of competition, private enterprise can move in with more efficient service to the public. Like the internet, the public learns how to use innovations and a market develops for the private entrepreneur. If Monticello residents wait until private enterprise provides “free” radio waves - wireless internet - Monticello and other communities will be wondering, “Why are we being left behind in the information revolution?” We will have missed the curve, the leading edge, and continue to drift in the backwater wishing we had some of “the new jobs”. Well, history repeats itself. If we could just learn from it!
:-) For the most part, “community internet” at least in it’s wireless form, is still very much a TEST. I, for one, would like to let some OTHER community successfully implement this before Monticello even considers it. There are MANY large players out there who have dedicated their time and energy in such projects in Philly & NYC. Also, Google & Earthlink have agreed to start negotiations with the City of San Francisco to provide their city the same service. There are only a few concerns that are really still left to resolve: Security, Revenue to cover monthly expenses, and the defining of usage policies regarding “who” can do “what” with such services.
All three of these issues have had great “proposed” solutions, however none of those proposals have been tested or confirmed as a successful resolve. While the FCC regulations concerning community internet do not prohibit private enterprise involvement, they certainly restrict their involvement. Otherwise, I feel we’d already have (maybe not free, but) affordable wireless access throughout nearly every city. We, as a Country, are headed in the right direction. I believe once the restrictions on those frequencies are lifted, we will begin to see many amazing possibilities in Wireless Internet access. Remember…..it took forever to lift the restrictions to allow cell phones…..now look!!!
I think, from a community development and education standpoint, somebody ought to be looking into National Science Foundation, DARPA, Small Business, Dept of Ed. and other government agency grants. I’m not into that kind of grant search myself (fall asleep to easily) but somebody should be. Sorry to learn that MEDC feels we must rely upon “private enterprise” for this kind of development (Community-Wide wireless internet). So, guess that means we wait for AT&T or Verizon or such to get around to offering it. Wonder how long it took to get Cablevision to come to Southeast Arkansas? Is it true that Drew County had no paved roads until the 1950’s? Well, I suppose we should just wait.