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Lack of Funds Shuts Down Wireless Oakland
Another citywide wi-fi effort bites the dust
Wireless Oakland is a municipal wireless network covering all of Oakland County in the state of Michigan. Seven phase one communities in the area have already started using the wireless service as the first part of the network's development. The network was estimated to cost $70 million when complete but has already been stopped in its tracks due to a lack of funding, leaving those seven communities without their wireless connection. People who support the project say it will take less than $6 million to remedy the current problems they are having but there is no sign that the funding is going to come from anywhere. If the funding hasn't come along within the next six months, there's a good chance that the project could be scrapped entirely.

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FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

2 recommendations

FFH5

Premium Member

Naysayers on citywide WiFi should be listened to

People who support the project say it will take less than $6 million to remedy the current problems
And this is why projects like this are often derided. They start with great hopes and a somewhat reasonable budget. But the costs ALWAYS escalate and keep on escalating from the low-ball figure quoted to get initial approvals.

Those who point out this inevitable FACT at the beginning are called obstructionist; incumbent flacks; naysayers; lacking public spirit; etc. It is just too bad they aren't listened too at the beginning before that $70 million is pissed down the drain.