Another Muni WiFi Network Gets An Early Thumbs Down
from the good-idea-bad-execution dept
Earlier this month, the city of Corpus Christi, Texas launched its municipal WiFi network, which its vendor said was the largest of its kind, covering more than 100 square miles. However, like some other muni WiFi projects, early reviews don't sound too encouraging -- complaints echoed earlier this month in Portland as well. It's the same sort of thing early users in other cities have reported: weak signal strength, low speeds and difficulty connecting. Many of these problems occur when people try to use the services indoors (as one does), highlighting one of the drawbacks of using WiFi for this type of application: it doesn't penetrate buildings well, particularly when the router's at some distance away. Many of the network vendors say users need to buy repeaters to overcome this, something that takes away some of the "free" aspect of these networks, as well as something that takes away from their attraction to visitors. While we remain bullish on the general idea of municipal broadband, it's still not clear at all that WiFi is the best way to deliver it. Many of the muni WiFi "success stories" raise as many questions as they answer, and the truth of how well these networks are working remains pretty muddy. Again, municipal broadband is an idea with a lot of merit, but it looks like a lot of muni-WiFi rollouts are based on the wrong reasons, and are possibly just using the wrong technology.
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Metro Area Wireless Mesh Nets are the way to go
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new orleans muniwifi
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Corpus Christi WIFI
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Best to all in the new year.
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hobbiest network connection
I know ... lets start using the ultra low frequencies that subs communicate with from under the ocean. Or better yet, perhaps packet by carrier pigeon!
The bottom line is that wireless networking sucks to date for muni-hotspot applications. It may someday get there, but not by switching out radios using saturated lower band frequencies. For optimum performance it would also be nice to find an area devoid of weather ;-)
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Been there, done that.
Spectrum is only half of it, geographic frequency reuse is the other part of the equation. The smaller your cells are, the more data you can move.
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With a 9 Trillion dollar National Debt, the United States needs to stop putting silliness like this on its national credit card.
If there is a need for city-wide WiFi, a private concern will provide it cheaper and better than any local government program.
Perhaps municipalities should also provide free gasoline. That would stimulate commerce for local merchants.
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The thing about free muni wifi is...
Toronto's plan for muni wifi is a classic example of this. Much like Bill Adams' statement above, it started out with a plan to read electricity meters. They have offered a service that was free for 6 months, and that they now say will be 'competitively priced'.
While it is wireless, and whether you agree or disagree with the politics of the matter, it really is just another offering from another ISP.
I don't know of a place that has completely free, open muni wifi access (although I'm not saying that one doesn't exist). Does anyone else know of anywhere that does?
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Corpus Christi Wi-Fried
I installed the software, installed the card and connect to cctex. hit ok for their user agreement and I was doing a Windows Update at 5mb/sec and I thought WOW! About 15 minutes into the update it went dead. The Linksys Wireless Monitor indicates I am connected with a very good signal. But NOTHING HAPPENS! I even disabled the firewall to see if there was a conflict but cctex was DOA. Strong signal good connection but no packets from the network.
It does work sometimes - but it is like bursts that come and go for the length of time nobody knows. It's not being inside that is the problem. If it were, I would not be receiving a good signal. Somehow their servers are messed-up big time!
What really ticks me off is how much this city must have paid for this junky network! Or I guess I should say how much the city is going to stick it to us. I guess they aready are. I think we have the highest utility and electric prices in the United States. (Hey! How does 15-16 cents a kilowatt hour grab you - no kidding - thats what it costs here!)
Of course the magazine Mens Health listed Corpus Christi as the "second dumbest city in the United States." The leadership is even worse, that's why we end up with these governemnt waste projects. With the price of this Wi-Fi they could have purchased every man, woman and child a five your subscription to wired broadband.
That's what I think of Corpus Christi and the Wi-Fi mess here. If they would have waited and used the N standard I doubt they would have the problems they have on G
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Corpus Christi Wi-Fi Update
Today is a sunny clear day, the network was connect at 11mbs with a strong signal and perhaps 100 packets come through every 10 minutes. On a foggy or rainy day it can zip along at 2mb - 11mb no problem. There is no logic or reason as to when, how or why the network works.
To tell you the truth, I'm not sure the network is really finished (or perhaps the contractor told them it's finished when it's really not). A casual glance at many locations shows several routers (repeaters) with coiled wires and hanging connectors - connected to nothing.
The other question I have, based on the connection speeds, signal strength and lack of packets - How many points do they have connected into a backbone? If they only have a few in a city of almost 150 square miles it will do nothing but create a giant clog no matter how many routers you have. To me that's what I see.
Pay $30.00 a month for this? I wouldn't pay $1.00 for this. It is totally unreliable. When you need to send or receive e-mail, look up something on the web now - who will want to wait until the network gets around to working.
I even read that Earthlink may want to take this over. Good luck on that! They better have about 100,00 customer services representatives to deal with the complaints. If they try to pass it off as "problems with your computer" forget it. This is definitely a packet flow issue across the wireless network. It is either not fully working or poorly designed.
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Corpus Christi WiFi RIP
What happens is you will connect and then it brings up a "prontonetworks" authentication page where you agree to terms, etc. That doesn't even come up anymore as I guess prontonetworks is not so "pronto" anymore. It is amazing that prontonetworks would point this out as one of their "success" stories. They must be on a different planet! The people who made this monster are located here:
http://www.prontonetworks.com
It is interesting to note that people are calling this Mayor Henry Garrett 's boondoggle and the mayor's folly. Along with this wast of money and some other things I think a lot of people are going to vote against this guy. The way it is working now across the city it is going to take millions of dollars to get this thing to work!
It's so sad when people get taken like this as the taxpayers foot the bill. Shame on the leaders who approved of this mess! This is a DOA WiFi network.
"Rest in Peace" Corpus Christi WiFi
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Re: Corpus Christi WiFi RIP
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Corpus Christi "WiFi"
I'm a retired engineer and I have an Master's of Engineering (ME) degree and I have checked out the so-called Corpus Christi "miracle network" from various locations.
First of all, when of the things I checked in communications with the WiFi system. Most areas in Corpus Christi tested adequate for average use. Although one person in a related article in the Houston Chronical stated that the problem was network cards that were unable to communicate TO the router, this theory is false as states of "connection" are through two way negotiations. If you are CONNECTED, especially at 55% and above signal strength, you should expect to get something from the network. Signal and two way communications were not the problem.
The next thing I investigated is if the network was shutting out systems based on a number that is unique to each network card called the MAC address. Networks can identify your network card based on, and trace your computer to any communications on the network, via a MAC.They can also use it to shut you out of the network. I have a special diagnostic tool that can change the MAC of my wireless card - this is NOT software "spoofing" it actually changes the MAC. The network still didn't work.
With signal strength and quality at 75 percent with 11mbs connection speeds the only factors that could cause this, in my opinion, are failures on the side of the pronto network "authentication" server (the thing that signs you onto the network when you agree to the terms), almost total packet loss across the network, design failure or an area outage (unlikely due to the connection and communication speed).
The most likely causes of the failure of the Corpus Christi WiFi are the prontonetworks server or packet loss due to a network failure.
It's really odd to have this strong of a connection and end up with total network failure. I looked at the connection and reinstalled drivers, etc., etc. and here we were at 75-80% signal communication at 11mbs and getting about 45 packets every 30 minutes and unable to bring up the prontonetworks login screen.
The best way to describe it as if you were to call up your friend on the cell phone and you have a great connection, strong signal, but then neither of you say a word. It's pointless.
Now then, there are two exceptions to this I found this afternoon: Downtown Corpus Christi and the airport area. But we may be talking 20 square miles at most where the network is effective... To say that this is the largest WiFi network is not reality - the effective and reliable portion of the network is perhaps 20-30 square miles.
I think the network, given 30 days, could manage to grab the bits and bytes necessary to get meter readings. You need to remember, however, that someone casually browsing for an hour has communicated the same about of information as the data from every water and gas meter in Corpus Christi. The amount of information data movement is not comparable - if this was built to read water and gas meters that may very well be all it's good for.
If Earthlink takes this over, good luck to them. They are going to need to spend some time sorting out the current mess. For now your best bet in the Corpus Christi area is Earthlink, Road Runner, Grande, SBC and a couple of the other DSL providers, then set up your own home WiFi. Unless there's something I'm missing here you'll just end up banging your head against the wall with this.
I would really be interested in hearing other peoples experiences with the Corpus Christi WiFi network. It may be helpful to know the nearest cross streets, etc.
One final note - If you know Corpus Christi, then you'll know that a WiFi should have been the last priority for this city. Water mains frequently break, sewage often spills into the streets after clogs. The roads are an absolute mess. They should have worried about the basic infrastructure of the city before they did something like this. Before taking the city into the 21st century they should have brought the city's infrastructure into the 20th century.
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Corpus WiFi Problems
The mayor (who is up for re-election) spent millions of $$$ of taxpayers money for this mess> The problem is, if Earthlink feels that they got the shaft they could sue the city - more taxpayer $$$ down the drain!
From Weber - Doddridge south to Flour Bluff it is a WiFi mess. They say "pardon our dust" - it seems like a dust storm of problems for this system. They also say the system is "self-healing" but I think it is more like self-defeating!
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More Information on WiFi
The good news is that IF they get the network to work the price of $21.95 that they charge at all other WiFi MUNIs would be reasonable. If the City of Corpus Christi tries to run their usual high-price scam and attempts to charge $30.00 it will be a major flop. Here in this city they charge outrageous prices for utilities (twice as much for electricity as other locations in the United States) so anything is possible in their pricing structure given the rip-off nature of this city. But $21.95 would be reasonable and I would hope they would offer it free to low-income homes for students, etc.
In any case, Earthlink would need to get this thing to WORK and then they would need to give customers a "back-up" dial-up account if the WiFi fails.
Here is the Earthlink MUNI WiFi information and pricing and not a word about "coming soon" to Corpus Christi.
http://www.earthlink.net/wifi/
The information from Earthlink raises more questions than answers. Maybe they've actually seen the overall performance of the network and they are getting cold feet.
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Houston Chronicle and WiFi
Just saw your post about WiFi in Corpus Christi. Although the deadline for you is passed, you really need to:
1. Visit Corpus Christi
2. Bring your laptop
3. Check out the poor network performance yourself.
4. Interview the mayor of Corpus Christi about the system and the expense to taxpayers
5. Talk to the people at Prontonetworks
5. Talk to Earthlink and ask why Corpus Christi is not on their "coming soon" list and if they evaluated the network prior to getting involved with the city's WiFi
I guess you could talk to people who posted, but it would be valuable to experience the Corpus Christi WiFi first-hand. I'll bet you'd have plenty of questions after your visit! ;-)
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How Do I Sign-Up For Wi-Fi?
Here is my question: How do you sign-up with Earthlink for this Service?
About a week ago they had a story on TV that Earthlink would take over the system on April 1st but there is nothing on the Earthlink site with the exception of a press release that says anything about it.
There are some issues that I have with the WiFi if Earthlink does it the way the news said they would. I guess they will give you a modem but you can only connect ONE COMPUTER to the modem. I don't understand that. Does this mean I will need a modem to use my laptop in public ares or have a seperate $20.00 account for every computer??? That would not be worth it.
One writer talked about a back-up dial-up account. That is a good idea if there is bad weather and you need to use your e-mail.
Anyhow, it works great for me, but maybe I'm just lucky to live in an area where it works.
If anyone has information on how to sign-up or with more information on the Earthlink plan for Corpus Christi, please post it here. Thanks!!!
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Not pronto, over 60 hops to get on
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WiFi
The WiFi works for me but I have no clue as to signing on with Earthlink.
Try using a N network card, the ones with the larger external antennas. I use Netgear and there is no problem with XP or the new Vista on my laptop. The small G cards are worthless indoors and the antennas are usually behind the computer in the worst place possible for reception.
I think the hops are possibly from the Pronto company signing people on so I don't know if it goes from here to their company then back out. I did hear that Earthlink would be adding some equipment so maybe that will help you.
When I watched the TV news they said that a signal amplifier may help you too.
I'm using it no and no problems. Much faster than dialup. If I could only get information from Earthlink! For the price I would get it if I can use it on all the computers in the house and not just one at a time and if I can use a dialup if it doesn't work.
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WI-FI and Municipalities
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Re: WI-FI and Municipalities
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WiFi Blocking Ports 465 and Possibly 25
It appears that the WiFi network that worked great before is now blocking the secure socket layer e-mail port on 465. So is it that the city wants to read my e-mail so I cant send it secure???
On port 25 I can connect to the server, but the e-mail can't be sent. Thanks Corpus Christi! Here I thought this was a positive thing and now you or Earthlink have junked this thing!
What is going on is either the city or Earthlink are blocking secure (encrypted) e-mails sent to a secure server using port 465 SSL and I don't know what they are doing on 25. I guess they will make it so that ALL MESSAGES will net to be sent IN THE OPEN on a Muni WiFi via the Earthlink mail server. If you have your own domain and e-mail accounts they will need to pass through the Earthlink server "in the open" so, of courser, they can be intercepted and read.
Earthlink & Corpus Christi I thought this was a great idea and that it worked well for me in my location. Cruising the Internet still works great, but without the e-mail, thumbs down from me. This is JUNK!
P.S.: Why do you want people to send their e-mail in the open on a city WiFi? I think this is a real privacy issue!
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Earthlink Ports
I know there are problems for me with the WiFi system, but if it works for you then that's great.
One thing I do know for sure and that is Earthlink DOES NOT block port 465. It does block 25 for spamming reasons and a lot of people get other port options from their web host. No company would do something as to block a SSL port on 465.
I think there may be or have been a configuration problem on the network. You will need to keep trying and let us know. I would guess there will be many changes the next few days. Earhtlink is not the only company that blocks 25 for spam reasons. If it is true that they are blocking the SSL port that would be a major concern!
Earthlink takes the system over on April 1st and it will be free for a month so maybe they'll have more info on the site after that time.
Is it just me or does it seem to be a coincidence that the date is April Fools Day?
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Port Blocking
You may be interested to know that it is now April 2nd and still no information from Eartlink. From the TV news I saw several days ago Earthlink was supposed to get the network on April 1st but I have not seen any change and there is no change when you log into the system or on the cctexas website.
The Internet still works great and e-mail going out on port 465 is going OK for now. If that changes I will post again.
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Earthlink Wifi Anaheim Network
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Earthlink Feather Network "Free Sample" Five Minut
Earthlink started its "free sample" of wifi in Corpus Christi for a 30 day period via the Feather Network.
REALLY GREAT! You need to sign in EVERY FIVE MINUTES to keep your service running. THANKS EARTHLINK!!!
Then there is NO WAY to purchase even a temporary monthly plan on this system.
https://home.feather.net/support/monthly_html?muniid=13
The WORST MUNICIPAL WIFI IN THE COUNTRY BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SECOND STUPIDEST CITY IN AMERICA!
What a joke... I agree Chris!
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Boycott Earthlink WiFi in Corpus Christi
Boycott the WiFi in Corpus Christi until Earthlink keeps the signal up 24-7-365 Shame on you Earthlink!!!
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Power Cut
Is this a scam so people will buy range boosters from them???
If they keep the network like this Earhtlink will become the most expensive meter reading service in history!!!
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Earthlink WiFi Anaheim
I don't need their WiFi. I don't have a lap top. All my computer work is done at home on a PC. Even if I had wanted WiFi it is very doubtful that it would work at my home. My home is at the boundry of the Anaheim WiFi area. I can see the over pass of the 91 & 57 freeway from my back yard, (the Anaheim boundry for WiFi) The houses in this area are constructed with lath & plaster. Our roof is a "Duralite" roof.
I am trying to make contact with the appropriate Orange County District Attorney office. We want Orange County District Attorney office to investigate the Anaheim City Council & Earthlink. If any one knows of the right Orange County District Attorney's office to contact regarding the Anaheim WiFi problem, please enlighten the rest of us victims here in Anaheim.
To day, July 25th I received an envelope welcoming me to Anaheim WiFi. Of course this is one more thing I need to do. I had to mark it "Refused"!! "Return to Sender", & put it out for the mail carrier to take back.
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Earthlink - Double-dipping billing
Have a day!
MJ
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