If you read my blog often, you’ll know that I am a big fan of wireless everywhere. I think it is an inevitability. Anyway, the city of Philadelphia was considering launching a city-wide WiFi service, fully funded. Great idea, but according to Lawrence Lessig, it might not go ahead:
But as Public Knowledge now reports, a bill on the Governor’s desk would now make it impossible for Philadelphia to offer such a service, because it “competes” with private businesses offering the same service.
That really sucks. And it doesn’t make a lot of sense either, as Lessig also points out:
So, let’s see: If I open a private street light company, selling the photons my lights give off, can Philadelphia offer “free” street lights? Or does the fact that Guards To Go offers services in Philadelphia mean we need to disband the Philly police department?
Good call. I don’t think such a service would really compete with companies offering the same service. In fact, if it does compete, the companies obviously aren’t offering a good enough service. Public WiFi probably won’t be screaming fast, nor will it be secure or completely reliable. Those three things can be offered by private businesses, and people WILL pay for it.
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