American Wi-Fi gets off to a bad start

From New Scientist - Latest Headlines:

Public Wi-Fi networks designed to provide cheap internet access across cities and towns have got off to a bumpy start in the US. Local governments are setting up municipal wireless networks, partly as a way of bridging the digital divide by offering cheap or even free internet access to low-income families (New Scientist, 28 March 2006, p 28). Nearly 200 local governments in the US now run wireless networks, with another 195 planned, according to MuniWireless, a firm that tracks industry trends. Yet only 88 of those built so far serve their entire community, with 63 operating in limited hotspots and 39 used only by government agencies. Delays in setting up the networks are common. In San Francisco, for example, a network due to be installed by Google and internet service provider Earthlink remains on hold pending a July hearing before the city's board of supervisors, two years after the city first asked for bids. The network has become the subject of a battle of wills between the city's mayor and board, delaying its installation, which was due to begin this year.

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