Monday, April 18, 2005

Philly has baseball and WiFi



When Philadelphia announced its plan for a citywide WiFi network, I wrote Mayor Williams and suggested he do the same in DC. That was some months ago. (Not that he's going to stop what he's doing to read my email.)

Philadelphia’s plan and approach is breathtaking.

From its business plan’s summary:

Wireless Philadephia establishes a charter to strengthen the City’s economy and transform Philadelphia’s neighborhoods by providing Internet access throughout the city. Wirless Philadelphia intends to create a digital infrastructure for open-air Internet access and to help citizens, business, schools and community organizations make effective use of wireless technology to achieve their goals while providing a great experience for the visitors of the City.

This 72-page report, accessible from the link above, lays out the case for deploying a citywide WiFi.

One effort of note is the OpenPark.Net project at the National Mall. I’ve never used its hot spots, but its Web site maps them.

Washington’s mayor ought to determine whether the city could benefit from WiFi accessibility.

At a minimum, DC's libraries should have wireless access.

I’m not an expert on WiFi and my sole wireless accomplishment, other than turning on my cellphone, is installing a wireless network in my apartment. But when I wrote the mayor, I also volunteered to serve on any committee he might form to look at this. Not that I expected an appointment and my photo in the Post. But an automated email form that said: “Thank You for supporting the baseball stadium" would have been nice.

Next time I'll phone.

 

posted by kob @ 7:28 PM