Government policy and wireless city networks : a comparative analysis of motivations, goals, services and their relation to network structure

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dc.contributor.authorvan Audenhove, Leo
dc.contributor.authorBallon, Pieter
dc.contributor.authorPoel, Martijn
dc.contributor.authorStaelens, Tomas
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-02T17:36:20Z
dc.date.available2010-06-02T17:36:20Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractWireless City Networks are a recent, but growing phenomenon. In the United States hundreds of cities are looking into the possibility of rolling out Wi-Fi or WiMax based networks over substantial parts of the city. The underlying rationale is that wireless city networks are cheap and flexible alternatives for fixed broadband networks. Cities more and more see broadband Internet access as a necessary and therefore public utility to be provided to their communities at affordable prices or even free of charge. The deployment of wireless city networks is however more than just infrastructure provision. Initiatives are linked to broader city policies related to digital divide, city renewal, stimulation of innovation, stimulation of tourism, strengthening the economic fabric of the city, etc. In this article we will argue that explicit and implicit goals are directly linked to the coverage and topology of networks, the technology used, price and service modalities, etc. Furthermore we will argue that the differences in context between the US and Europe explain the different infrastructural trajectories taken. Overall and on the basis of empirical findings we caution for the overoptimistic view that Wi -Fi-based wireless city networks are an equal alternative for providing broadband access. There are both financial and technological uncertainties, which could have a serious impact on the performance of these initiatives.en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/43518
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSouthern African Journal of Information and Communication (SAJIC), The Edge Institute / Research ICT Africa, Braamfontein, ZAen
dc.relation.ispartofSouthern African journal of information and communication, issue no. 8, 2007, p. 108-135en
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
dc.subjectBROADBANDen
dc.subjectWIRELESS AREA NETWORK (WLAN)en
dc.subjectWIRELESS ACCESSen
dc.subjectCAPACITY BUILDINGen
dc.subjectDIGITAL INCLUSIONen
dc.subjectCONNECTIVITYen
dc.subjectICT INFRASTRUCTUREen
dc.subjectAFRICAen
dc.titleGovernment policy and wireless city networks : a comparative analysis of motivations, goals, services and their relation to network structureen
dc.typeJournal Article (peer-reviewed)en
idrc.copyright.oapermissionsourceCC BY 3.0 Unporteden
idrc.dspace.accessOpen Accessen
idrc.project.number103114
idrc.project.titleResearch ICT Africa - Phase IIen
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

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IDRC Research Results / Résultats de recherches du CRDI
2000-2009 / Années 2000-2009
Infrastructure Policy and Indicators / Politiques et indicateurs en matière d’infrastructures
Research Results (ACACIA) / Résultats de recherches (ACACIA)