[CAnet - news] Microsoft Enters Municipal Wi-Fi Realm

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[Many companies are now entering the municipal WiFi market pioneered by
Google and Earthlink.  AT&T, Cisco, IBM, NTT and now Microsoft have entered
the market. Another interesting WiFi mesh development is that NTT plans to
deploy WiFi mesh on over 100 cities in Japan. It is interesting to see how
the business model of broadband for a fee is changing to broadband for free.
There already have been several announcements of companies offering free
triple and quadruple play in jurisdictions where regulators have imposed
unbundling. Soon I expect we will some announcements of free fiber to the
home as well.  Thanks to Dewayne Hendricks for these pointers. Some excerpts
-- BSA]

NTT announcemnt
http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=107418&WT.svl=news2_1

WiFi mesh startup Strix Systems Inc. has scored one of the largest
multi-city 802.11 municipal deals yet announced, working with an NTT Group
(NYSE: NTT - message board) subsidiary to unwire a hundred cities in Japan
over the next couple of years. (See Strix Wins at NTT West.)


Microsoft Annoucement
>From the Wall Street Journal --
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116359896740823855.html?mod=technology_main_
whats_news

Microsoft Enters Municipal Wi-Fi Realm
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Microsoft Corp. said it will partner with 
MetroFi Inc. to build a free wireless Internet service for 
Oregon's largest city.

MetroFi announced it will launch the Wi-Fi service in Pioneer 
Courthouse Square, a popular gathering place in downtown 
Portland, by the end of the year and expand it to the rest of 
the city within two years.

Microsoft will provide locally focused MSN content and 
advertising through its new online platform, adCenter. The 
platform, designed to compete with Google Inc., allows 
advertisers to target users based on their browsing habits and 
data such as gender, age and location.

With its foray into municipal wireless, Microsoft is entering 
a market that has attracted other technology giants, including 
Google, which is playing a similar role to Microsoft in San 
Francisco, where Google is trying to build a citywide wireless 
network with partner Earthlink Inc. AT&T Inc. also has bid on 
several municipal Wi-Fi contracts.


MetroFi operates Wi-Fi networks in several Silicon Valley 
cities and has agreements with 13 cities across the United 
States to develop municipal networks.

Sam Klepper, general manager in the MSN Media Network Group at 
Microsoft, said the company partnered with MetroFi because it 
has one of the largest municipal Wi-Fi footprints of any 
provider. But Microsoft may consider working with other 
wireless providers and c ities in the future.

Portland already has some free Wi-Fi spots available through 
the Personal TelCo project, a volunteer group in Portland. The 
city has been eager to provide a municipal Wi-Fi service for 
the whole metro area, a trend taking place across the country.

The new system will eventually cover 95% of the city. MetroFi 
will pay to create and maintain the system. The Mountain View, 
Calif.-based company said the service will be maintained 
through advertising revenue. Users can opt for 
advertising-free service for $20 a month.


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