Post in Minneapolis Wi-Fi: Time to Pull the Contract?

Mar 20 20:59 UTC

Although it's true that U.S. Internet implementation
of the Minneapolis Wi-Fi network has been slower than
we all hoped, and they've encountered problems with
trees, water, and the mesh beneath the all too pervasive
stucco.

They seem to be making a effort to resolve
these issues, at least I've noticed some extra amplifying hardware...something
like square white thingy attached to the mini-keggers and the double wands...on
the telephone poles

We could have gone with the vendor St. Louis
Park hired...

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/14166576.html

Reports to this list about Wi-Fi service and U.S. Internets customer service
have varied...and the
extra cost for a Ruckus modem was a surprise...
the difficulties and dead spots could be the growing
pains of innovation, or they may be a symptom of the
unending money pit and frustration that new technology
or software can cause.

There should be a way to:

Evaluate how the Wi-Fi is working for the police and
fire depts and any other city depts using it.   Are
we getting our $mil or are they experiencing serious
problems?

I'm guessing there's an enormous wall map somewhere
documenting all the "dead spots"...if there isn't
there should be one.

Seems like even the priviledged can inhabit these as I've heard that the
neighborhood round Lake of the Isles is a dead spot.  But maybe the brass at
Qwest or Comcast live
in Kenwood or Lowry Hills!

Hopefully there is a strategy to make the dead spots "live" without an
expensive shift to
an entirely different technology.

U.S. Internet set up a Wi-Fi and webcam network so
quickly and efficiently after the 35W bridge collapse...
an event that's earned them national acclaim, but they
still should be accountable for providing residential
Wi-Fi service.

Another positive is the Community Benefits agreement
and the opportunity for neighborhoods and citizens to
create content for and use Wi-Fi internet...but this
work also needs to happen without extensive delay.
This too is receiving national attention.

Can anyone who is a subscribe report on the community
info suppose to be available for free?

U.S. Internet may need more time...but not too much time...and someone needs to
be continuously assessing service availability and quality...

Here are some good sources of info:

http://www.pfhyper.com/weblog/blogger.html

http://www.digitalaccess.org/

Madeline Douglass
Kingfield
Downtown East