Municipal Wi-Fi - More reasons Wi not

Recently, an Enquirer editorial urged caution on Cincinnati’s plan to offer citywide wireless Interent (Wi-Fi) access within three years. It cited an Associated Press report that outlined the problems other cities have encountered in setting up such systems – inflated costs, wasted tax dollars, unfinished systems and lack of usage by residents. And it posed a question: With the competitive market already offering an array of free or low-cost wireless access points locally, wouldn’t a government-sponsored system be more of a bragging point than a practical utility?

A story Thursday in the Wall Street Journal ought to heighten that question. It also reports that cities such as Philadelphia are struggling with cost overruns of 30 percent or more, while use of the service is below expectations. Even when cities partner with tech firms that build and operate the systems, the economic model just isn't working. There are privacy and environmental concerns as well. A potential deal with Google and EarthLink has become a hot political issue in San Francisco, which has put the proposal onto the ballot for November.

Besides, the 90-plus existing citywide systems could become co-opted by a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs that is proposing to offer free wireless broadband Internet service to 95 percent of the nation within a decade, despite current opposition from the Federal Communications Commission. And rapidly changing technology could make current Wi-Fi obsolete in a few years. Who better to adjust to changing technology – government bureaucracy or the free market? Cincinnati could get ahead of the curve here by not joining the herd.

Wi-Fi is not analagous to fixed, traditional infrastructure services such as sewers or water or street repairs. I’m an avid Wi-Fi user, but I’m becoming more convinced that this is not one of the things that government does well – or should do.