RSSRhode Island Testing Statewide Wi-Fi
By Ed Oswald | Published May 1, 2006, 2:33 PM
Rhode Island is in the process of setting up a wireless network that would provide statewide coverage. The $20 million project is expected to be completed by 2007, and would focus on commercial, emergency, and government uses.
The move is an effort to lure businesses away from the Boston metropolitan area, some 50 minutes away from Rhode Island's capital of Providence. Office rents in the Massachusetts city are some of the highest in the country, and a Wi-Fi network may be enough to lure many away.
Tests of the service will begin in June involving Brown University, as well as some state agencies and local businesses. Initially, the three to four foot antennas are being placed in Providence and Newport in the southern part of the state.
The final network would be made up of about 120 base stations across the 1,045 square mile state using a mix of Wi-Fi and WiMAX technologies, backers said, with a minimum speed of 1Mbps. A $20 per month fee or an annual membership would be charged for access.
While the network could have many consumer applications, the creators of the network say it is not being built for that purpose. Usage would primarily be for commercial, emergency, and government uses. Eventually, however, the network could see uses in the consumer market.
Annual costs for operation of the network are expected to run $5 million, according to a commissioned study.
"While the network could have many consumer applications, the creators of the network say it is not being built for that purpose. Usage would primarily be for commercial, emergency, and government uses. Eventually, however, the network could see uses in the consumer market."
Amazing...5 posts so far and all 5 of them have yet to read the article...ok maybe just 4.
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|What does that have to do with the posts?
Wi-Fi, even if only for commercial purposes, would have to cover the same ground. Perhaps not rural areas so much, but then it really isn't state-wide, now is it?
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|You mean to tell me that bandwidth capacity is not a factor, then? It makes a huge difference. Sure, the coverage has to be the same, but the number of people that use it will be drastically less if only commercially used.
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|Seriously? You think that many people have laptops? Or that that many corporations are actually oging to use it? (Keep in mind, most larger businesses likely already have a much faster dedicated connection)
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|Supposedly-- if it blankets the whole state, all desktops would be in range too???? But what bourgeoisdude has stated, along w/ other inferences gleaned from the article, kinda shows it may not cover the whole state--an ambitious undertaking to say the least.
Dude, you didn't read the whole article either: '$20 monthly fee' is so low as to contradict the sic 'enterprise focus': they'd then need the heavy volume only attainable w/ private consumers--or someone goofed.
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|Heh.
How many desktops do you know about that have built-in wireless? I mean, c'mon..think about it.
WiMAX could cover the distance gaps between the Wi-Fi hotspots, as I understand it. 1Mbps is decent (especially if it is, as they say, the minimum), and I bet some small businesses without current T1 or better connections will jump on it. $240 a year to connect your office doesn't sound too bad.
My main question is how the ToS is worded. Can they run mail/web/DNS servers over this network?
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|HHHmmm, so your average user won't have the wherewithall to go out and get something for that...maybe those promoting this would alleviate that issue....
There you with Wimax-- can't wait for that...
For their sake, I hope your second question answers affirmative, esp. w/ the focus on business-- but you never know who's in charge...
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|Highly doubt puny $20 million'd be the final fig for total statewide access.
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|You gotta remember that Rhode Island is only slightly larger than a football field. ;P
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|Say it with me "statewide access in Rhode Island!"
This is not the state of Wyoming, or Missouri, or Texas. This is Rhode Island. Roughly the size of a Large Metro City. 1,045 Square Miles, that is approximately 32 miles x 32 miles.
$20 mil is a LOT for that small an area.
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|I've lived and worked there.
Forgot to mention i once worked for the Derderians(foks whose club burned down), but in Mass. That family is huge-- has beacoup properties in several states......
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|Yeah, but still: covering all rural areas- poor & rich... Mafia solidly entrenched... Maintaining the tradition of politicos from local to state standing in line with palm outstretched....
Ingredients of the recipe for future cost overruns & scandals/imdictments/impeachments galore. Wonder what Homeland Security has planned re public network surveillance...
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|There will be cost overruns and the $20 Million figure is very low. Multiply the $5 Million expected overrun by 5 and then start to post a figure. Google is doing this on the peninsula in San Francisco and it is not a network that goes right up, it will take time. They have been and will be working on it for many months. Agreat service to have-I wonder what kind of positive comments will be heard by the cable companies, etc. ?
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