SCI/TECH: First City-Wide Wi-Fi Network Created

The first city in America has made itself entirely wireless. Grand Haven, Michigan, has installed wireless access points all across the city and created a hot zone across the entire city, turning Grand Haven into a "Hot City". The mayor was quoted as saying, "The city-wide WiFi service provided by Ottawa Wireless is already enhancing the quality of life for residents and tourists and enabling the city to provide new services."




Hopefully this will get a lot of press and help to inspire other cities to follow in Grand Haven's path. City wide wireless internet access in every city could become a reality in the next 10-20 years.

A private company, Ottawa Wireless, is responsible for the setup and maintenence of the network. The company has even set up a special access for boaters that allows them to access the internet up to 15 miles offshore and while moving at up to 55 miles per hour.


[edit on 8-1-2004 by Valhall]

Im not sure this is a good thing. With this in place anyone can hack anyone at any time. Not that they cant now. It seems it would make it easier.

I would like to know how they plan on managing a city-wide wireless network. If interest remains low it would be fairly easy, but if it takes off then they will have a massive mess to deal with. While its a fascinating idea, I'm not sure how wise it could be as SpittinCobra pointed out in regards to security, also you have to wonder about filesharing over the network, spammers, etc.

Also people could listen into wireless broadcasts and steal personal information easily. I can just imagine the horror of someone stealing my ATS s/n and using it to post fake news stories about wifi networks....

There's actually a mass rush to do this in cities, but I'm not sure they've addressed all the problems. I know of several other cities that were planning on doing that... seems they've been "scooped" now on this.

It's part of the "E-government Initiative" that's a popular concept these days. In my experience, most governments actually don't know what this means, but they think they want it.

It also includes things like putting city council meetings on streaming video feed. Woot.

Check out this link for some of the benifits of the metro net.

www.meshnetworks.com...

I work with wireless networking and know that a wireless network can be secured if done properly.

Toronto is in the Process of creating at city-wide hotspot. I think it's one of the best Ideas i've heard in a while since it will give alot of people free access to the internet, that otherwsie cound't afford it.

isnt wireless networking typically alot slower than hardwired? and with a whole city using the same network, would this not create a huge bottle-neck???

Their intentions are good, and the idea is cool, but i dont see this idea being carried out in a practical and efficient manner...

well it would be cool if they get it working really well! i would like one of those around where i live

Micro displays eyeglass frame mounted have been available for
awhile, but the electronics for roving WWW connection, and
means for cursor control and user interaction using corded
palm keyboards or voice recognition have added additional
complexity. When fully functional people can share files
about... everything. For example who is hiring, what they are
paying, what exactly a job entails from people who have done it
before. Online assistance in learning how to do any job.
Where are the best bargains for shopping, who are the
local sex offenders, where is the best restaurant. How to solve
differential equations, where to get that size metric nut for the
gizmo that broke on your motorcycle. E-mail anybody, who is
running for office, what are the issues in an election, how much
is the average house price. The files available will grow and
encompass everything that people want to record. Everyone
will have their own hybrid web site, part free, and part with files
to sell. All transactions with electronic money, all bill paying
electronic.. fully integrated computer technology will change the
way people live, work, play, and relate.

Either that or people will use it for pornography and to view
meaningless Reality TV shows, soaps, advertising (spam), and
the current media political and economic propaganda.


[edit on 1-10-2004 by mockan]

Originally posted by mockan
Micro displays eyeglass frame mounted have been available for
awhile, but the electronics for roving WWW connection, and
means for cursor control and user interaction using corded
palm keyboards or voice recognition have added additional
complexity. When fully functional people can share files
about... everything. For example who is hiring, what they are
paying, what exactly a job entails from people who have done it
before. Online assistance in learning how to do any job.
Where are the best bargains for shopping, who are the
local sex offenders, where is the best restaurant. How to solve
differential equations, where to get that size metric nut for the
gizmo that broke on your motorcycle. E-mail anybody, who is
running for office, what are the issues in an election, how much
is the average house price. The files available will grow and
encompass everything that people want to record. Everyone
will have their own hybrid web site, part free, and part with files
to sell. All transactions with electronic money, all bill paying
electronic.. fully integrated computer technology will change the
way people live, work, play, and relate.

Either that or people will use it for pornography and to view meaningless
reality TV shows.

like this post if only it happens