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Wi-Fi Issues 'Plague' Lompoc Project
Sketchy connectivity and low subscriber count
Citywide $20 Wi-Fi launched in Lompoc, California, last year after a number of delays. The Lompoc Record reports that the $3 million system is still plagued by coverage issues, and only 281 users have signed up for service. A 2003 feasibility study stated that the city would need 4,000 customers in order to break even -- though the city says they've recently lowered rates which has helped:
"Lompoc recently reduced its WiFi utility rates from $19.95 a month to three plans: A “Hotspot plan” of $9.99 per month for unlimited, self-supported Internet access for one user as an ongoing monthly subscription or a single one-month purchase; a family plan of $15.99 per month for unlimited Internet access for up to three users at a time; and a daily plan of $4.99 for 24 hours of Internet access for one user at a time."
But they're also having to deploy bridges and hire a technician to help sort out the connectivity issues, notes the report.

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

2 recommendations

FFH5

Premium Member

Rosy muni-WiFi stories getting fewer and fewer

Not all that long ago, there were many, many stories about how muni-WiFi was going to change the face of broadband and that the people were all going to have free access to download all their porn and free music and those evil corporations were all going to go broke.

A few cautioned that that vision was unrealistic and that any time city governments were involved, disaster was much more likely than nirvana.

Well, the stories now are starting to highlight all the problems that are occurring and that reality is much closer to the warnings than the hype.

»How’s That Plan For Widespread Wireless Going?
»Is San Francisco’s Wi-Fi A National Example?
»Complaining About Free Wi-Fi