All posts in the topic Municipal Wireless in Minneapolis (Short link)
Summary
- There are 2 posts — by 2 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Lee Helgen at 2006 Feb 19 19:09 UTC
Those of you interested in the possibility of a citywide WiFi network in Saint Paul may be interested in what is about to happen in Minneapolis. As I am sure you all know by now, Minneapolis decided to purchase network services to meet its own internal needs, rather than build and operate its own network. Minneapolis wanted the selected vendor to also make wireless broadband services available to Minneapolis residents and businesses. A very vocal group has argued that Minneapolis should own and operate this network, rather than permitting an outside company to provide these services. This group has been successful in convincing the Minneapolis City Council Ways and Means Committee that it should accept public testimony on ownership models for the Minneapolis wireless broadband network. The Ways and Means Committee will meet Tuesday, February 21. Here's the agenda: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2006-meetings/20060224/WMagenda20060221.asp This debate _may_ be a preview of similar discussions that might happen as Saint Paul. There might be a few differences, however: o Minneapolis is fairly far along in its process towards buying network services. It has issued an RFP, received proposals, down-selected to two vendors, and is about to start field trials. It seems sort of late in the game for proponents of municipally owned networks to insist that the city stop this process and start all over again. o Minneapolis outsourced its information technology operations in 2002, (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/itsoutsourcingrfp/). As far as I know, Saint Paul hasn't outsourced its IT operations to this extent, and so may be better equipped to own and operate its own network. Personally, I believe that it is preferable that discussions about public versus private ownership occur earlier in the process, rather than late in the game as they are in Minneapolis. I anticipate that Saint Paul will provide a nice forum for this debate.
The City of St. Paul has contracted with Springsted to conduct a broadband technology needs assessment and economic development study (BITS). As part of the study, there are two public forums to gather input. Wednesday, February 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Hillcrest Rec. Center Monday, February 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Dayton's Bluff Rec. Center For more info check out the city's website at www.stpaul.gov Lee Helgen Councilmember - Ward 5 >>> "Timothy J. Salo" <email obscured>> 02/18/06 3:21 PM >>> Those of you interested in the possibility of a citywide WiFi network in Saint Paul may be interested in what is about to happen in Minneapolis. As I am sure you all know by now, Minneapolis decided to purchase network services to meet its own internal needs, rather than build and operate its own network. Minneapolis wanted the selected vendor to also make wireless broadband services available to Minneapolis residents and businesses. A very vocal group has argued that Minneapolis should own and operate this network, rather than permitting an outside company to provide these services. This group has been successful in convincing the Minneapolis City Council Ways and Means Committee that it should accept public testimony on ownership models for the Minneapolis wireless broadband network. The Ways and Means Committee will meet Tuesday, February 21. Here's the agenda: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2006-meetings/20060224/WMagenda20060221.asp This debate _may_ be a preview of similar discussions that might happen as Saint Paul. There might be a few differences, however: o Minneapolis is fairly far along in its process towards buying network services. It has issued an RFP, received proposals, down-selected to two vendors, and is about to start field trials. It seems sort of late in the game for proponents of municipally owned networks to insist that the city stop this process and start all over again. o Minneapolis outsourced its information technology operations in 2002, (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/itsoutsourcingrfp/). As far as I know, Saint Paul hasn't outsourced its IT operations to this extent, and so may be better equipped to own and operate its own network. Personally, I believe that it is preferable that discussions about public versus private ownership occur earlier in the process, rather than late in the game as they are in Minneapolis. I anticipate that Saint Paul will provide a nice forum for this debate. -tjs Tim Salo Macalester-Groveland/Dinkytown More info: http://forums.e-democracy.org/stpaul/contacts/timsalo
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