Star Tribune Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:46:22 GMT
Editorial: Minneapolis Wi-Fi is quieting the critics
Wireless network avoids problems that hamper other cities. ... Although the network is a couple of months behind its original schedule and about 20 percent over budget, the delays are not unusual for a project of this complexity and the city isn't on the hook for the cost overruns. Compared with other municipal wireless Internet projects around the nation, the Minneapolis project is off to an excellent start. Larger cities (Chicago, Houston) and cities with more technology street cred (San Francisco, Portland) have had to temper their hopes because of both technological and financial difficulties. But the Minneapolis network is well on its way to being financially self-sustaining, according to officials with the company that built the network, Minnetonka-based U.S. Internet Corp. The company said in November that it had 5,000 subscribers and another 7,000 registered for service when it becomes available in their neighborhoods. Subscription rates start at $15 a month, and the company needs 10,000 subscribers to be in the black. Given the failures of projects in other cities, some outsiders are astounded by the relative success here.
[[keywords: PublicWorks;Living;Metro;]]
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