If a government network could be set up, the city would then consider serving homes and businesses. But that could cost nearly $300 million, according to one estimate. The city doesn't have that kind of cash, but believes it would be possible to issue bonds to build the network and pay off the debt by leasing access on the network to multiple providers, who would compete for customers.

Comcast and Qwest say they could easily increase speeds on their networks as demand for bandwidth goes up. Comcast's Twin Cities network could deliver connections faster than 100-megabits-per second if necessary, spokeswoman Mary Beth Schubert said. The company says it is testing 100-megabit traffic between facilities in Philadelphia and McLean, Va.

But the two providers say they've seen no indication that anyone is clamoring for the kind of broadband that the two cities are envisioning, and they warn that municipal systems are more trouble than they're worth. They both point to Provo, Utah, where a municipally owned fiber-optic network has been drowning in red ink for several years. Earlier this month, the city of Provo decided to sell iProvo to a private provider called Broadweave.

said by IndyDoug :

Cities across the country will eventually offer free WiFi. It's the natural evolution of technology for the benefit of the people. Internet access if almost a necessity. The wrangling between private corps and govt. bureaucracy is a hurdle that will have to be overcome.

said by TKJunkMail :

Citywide WiFi won't happen. The technology just isn't suited for it. Citywide WiMax and LTE will happen but that will be driven by large nationwide companies and not by city governments.

said by Turbocpe :

quote:

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Comcast, Quest Annoyed With Twin Cities Wi-Fi Plans

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It's Qwest - not Quest. The headline has a typo.

said by pnh102 :

The silly notion that the government thinks wireless is the way to go for a speedy network shows very clearly that these governments are completely and totally unqualified to set any sort of broadband policy.

The state of Minnesota should step in and ban such activity. Perhaps instead it should focus on keeping bridges from collapsing instead.

said by pnh102 :

The silly notion that the government thinks wireless is the way to go for a speedy network shows very clearly that these governments are completely and totally unqualified to set any sort of broadband policy.

said by TKJunkMail :

The city bureaucrat making the "use bonds" claim doesn't have to pay the higher taxes if wrong. Hopefully the pols and the taxpayers(if they get to vote on the bond issue) are more intelligent about the chances of the project making economical sense.