Next Generation Broadband Envy?
from the expectations-of-free dept
Remember back when the idea of broadband envy involved people in the US complaining about how far ahead of us South Korea was? Well, now, following Google's attempt to supply San Francisco with free WiFi, the latest version of broadband envy may be about how come their city can't supply free WiFi from Google? That sound you hear is a bunch of incumbent telcos gasping. No, WiFi covering an entire city probably isn't the best solution, and Google may find it a bit more difficult to implement than they expect it to be... but once people start expecting free ubiquitous internet access, the ballgame begins to change pretty significantly -- even if that internet access isn't very robust. Perception can be a nasty thing.
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ISP charges
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Re: ISP charges
It's not like people will force you to use the free service!
Laptops with wifi access are becoming less and less expensive - affordable or sometimes free to those living below the poverty line.
Getting online, however, is a different story. Like it or not, free wi-fi/Wi-Max is coming, and that will drive competition - that's good.
Google won't be the only company - others like Yahoo will probably get into the game too.
Injuctions against such activity have been pushed onto senators by telecom lobbyists because they know broadband has little competition, and it generates massive cashflow. These guys are afraid of the free option to the public - it means they'd have to improve things, and that means innovating and spending money. Fat, bloated telecom companies hate this.
Lousy companies will disappear - good companies will thrive - even in a world of free Wi-Fi/Wi-Max.
I might still pay $8-10/month for an 8 Megabit dedicated connection - which is what free Wi-Fi/Wi-Max will do - push the bandwidth higher and make the cost reasonable with no ads. The days of paying $50/month for broadband are going to end and there is nothing anybody can do about it. If you are comfortable paying $50/month, then when your bill is $10/month because of competition, send the difference to me - I'll take your money.
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Re: ISP charges
As to cities or states offering free wi-fi, the cost is just too high and idea of a municipality providing it is too socialist – or at least it conflicts to much with established businesses. However, there are a few cities that have proposed some ideas for offering wi-fi that do make sense. Like, Huntsville, Alabama has partnered with a provider to meet the needs of visitors and tourists without really interfering with business providing access to residents and local businesses.
It will be interesting to see how all of this pans out when wi-max and real 3G service rolls out (don’t believe the telcos’ hype right now – trust me).
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Re: ISP charges
If google is modeling their access off of advertising they are not targeting the poverty line because that is not where the all mighty dollar is. They are targeting the middle class, since the higher class will not trivialize themselves with this "commoner" service.
When kmart has a blue light special I don't think is running to that aisle. Conversely, I do not think that someone living in poverty is looking for sales at Bergdorf Goodman.
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why stuck on free WiFi?
Last thing i want is another spam supported WiFi network.
What ever happened to the HomeWiFi network?
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Changes Nothing
Devices represent the other issue. People want to carry cell phones not laptops. Wifi cellphones make become available in the future but they are not there today.
Coverage is the last. It will be nice if you can get wifi in san francisco but mobile networks are baesd on uquity. What happens when you want coverage outside of san fran?
I don't think this is a huge threat and i also doubt you'lls see all that many cities maintaining free wifi once cellular carriers do it. No one wants more taxes.
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Re: Changes Nothing
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Re: Changes Nothing
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Re: Changes Nothing
actually, americans don't want more taxes. in europe, many are happy for everyone to pay to improve the overall quality of life. just a thought.
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Re: Changes Nothing
p.s., i like your ultra-personal blog with 0 comments for every worthless little entry.
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Re: Re: Changes Nothing
What's wrong with socialism, where it works?
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Future
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Re: Future
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RIP 2007 - Google WiFi
The real kicker here is that next gen networks (flarion, some future wimax, 802.20, super 3G) will be subsidized by voice users and that is something that metro wifi will never have.
Ubiquity is the underlying value of wireless. Metro Wifi is a phase which most metros will outgrow. Google will also outgrow it.
As for the poor, if they are so poor how did they get the laptop? The poor are better served with universal broadband efforts (through DSL, cable, wireless, anything) and subsidies to afford the computer and an access line to their home. Wifi's indoor coverage will be less than stellar and not that many poor people live in the most expensive city in america (san francisco)anyway
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bullshit
It's not food , clothing, or shelter.
" Poor " people want access ... go pay for it like I do.
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