Given the significance of the Internet’s impact on society, it is difficult to argue that broadband access is a luxury. Especially since almost every home in my neighborhood is using Time Warner Road Runner Broadband. It is increasingly hard to participate within the global economy without constant access to this important communications infrastructure. This had lead to concern about how to serve underprivileged populations and residents of rural areas. This concern has led to some attempts to build municipal networks.
There is little consensus in the US as to whether municipal networks are a good idea and who should control them. One concern is that the pace of technological change exceeds the speed at which a government can operate. However, corporations that have partnered on early projects have struggled to find a workable business model. It seems unlikely that government controlled WiFi will be universally adopted, but that in certain “unprofitable” pockets, governmental or charitable organizations will step in to ensure that universal and affordable access is a reality for everyone.
