Guess what? Rogers has rolled out LTE (long term evolution) wireless data service in the Ottawa area this month, and in 21 cities by 2012. This 4th generation (4G) technology is starting at 4X the speed of current 3G data, with a potential of up to 75Mbps downloads. Realistic WiFi downloads don't even come close.

Keeping in mind:
1. the continuous cellular technology speed improvements by leaps and bounds every generation
2. fantastic coverage of cellular data networks
3. nothing being free - blanketing the downtown with WiFi will be $$$, guess who is paying
4. businesses having free hotspots

Ask yourself, does London really need downtown Wifi?

The comment by the Bell consultant in the LFP article made me chuckle. Of course the providers don't want it to be free. It cuts into their profits.
But its this very attitude thats stifling digital innovation in this country. The providers would rather we have less access to free services and pay more for the bandwidth we have. That is why Canada has slipped down the ladder when it comes to growth in this area.

So please ignore the Bell commentator. He would rather you pay them or their competitors more. And let Canada slide downhill in terms of our digital development.

Sorry, but LFP why are earth are you pursuing all the ideas that won't really change downtown London? I can get wifi at home or at a cafe. Having free wifi downtown does jacksquat for downtown. How about you focus on the ideas that will really change downtown? The same newspaper that focuses on water bottle bans, chickens in the backyard, etc., etc. Bravo!

The cost for internet services are too high when it comes to internet access in the home--eve for basic high-speed internet services without the perks!

I've visited a number of places over the past few years. Dearborn, MI and Niagara Falls, NY have WiFi.

While free city service is nice, I will say emphatically that if a restaurant, bar, theatre or museum doesn't provide free WiFi, I won't go back a second time.

That;s a good start, and so much easier to hook up. I am sure there would be complaints from business that don't get the same feed. I am thinking Michael's and The Ceeps might get a Vic Park feed.

Would anyone else agree with me when I say that this is more of a luxury than anything?

I don't think the unemployed and homeless are going to care if there is free wifi downtown, and I think that they are more important than that.

Enough places downtown offer free wifi already, without it coming out of the city's pocket. Maybe free wifi just in Vic Park, rather than "all of downtown"?

I won't lie to you, Thatguy, most of that wiki link flew over my Luddite head, but it didn't seem to be saying it wasn't do-able, just something that requires considerable thought. Did I get the gist? And if, for good measure, we get to mess with Rogers and Bell a bit, . . .

This was easy to find. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_broadband

Matt: They only do it because we let them. If London started looking into free wi-fi I think both would start rethinking their consumer gouging strategies. Maybe not. "Screw the consumer" seems to be a common mantra these days.

This would only be good if they used an "indie" ISP like TekSavvy. Rogers and Bell incur usage fees that would QUICKLY get very out of hand.

It's a lot of work to set up (I'll track some articles and link 'em), very expensive and will piss off Rogers and Bell. Those are the only cons I have seen.

Sounds like it ought to be a no-brainer. Cost prohibitive? Or are there other cons that don't spring immediately to mind?

I think the big "why we don't" reason would be ya' can't make money off of it.

I think it would be a good idea for the city to actually do some research on the costs/pros and cons of free wi-fi. There must be a reason other cities offer it. Sounds good to nerds like Mike who bring their iPads to the beach, but maybe it is actually good for the rest of us too. I'd love to hear from educated city staffers on we need it or why we don't.

last summer when I was deciding which area beachtown to visit I chose Grand Bend because of its free wi-fi. nerds like me are attracted to wi-fi like a lightening rod. it's good for laptops, iPads, smartphones, iPods...things that I reference every 10 minutes. I won't stay in a hotel that doesn't offer wifi. logistically and cost-wise it may not be worth it but free downtown wi-fi in London would attract lots of people for lots of reasons....and it would get the campers out of the coffeeshops and onto the streets and into the parks.

Steph, you mean like Rogers and Bell who are gouging users with their monopolies? Yeah, I'd hate to piss them off.

There is only one idea here I think is "the most important", but all idea are good ideas and worth talking about, like adults. Just because something is not good for one, doesn't mean it isn't good for others.

Many cities have free wi-fi, many have free public transit, many look after their poor better, many have real glitzy city halls. It is all worth at least looking at. I thought these forums were here to stimulate thought and discuss concepts.

I don't know squat abut cell phones, but I don't thing they need wi-fi to do their thing. I think those who would benefit most are the people who live in the supported area. That is the point of municipal wi-fi as far as I understand it.

I don't think this is the most important thing for our city. Half of the ppl on this forum are arguing to make London prettier, and more fun with a million events going on downtown at once, and others would like to be able to stare at their computer screen in the park.

I guess free wifi would be good for those with an iphone? Other than that I wouldn't care about carting my computer around with me.

Another issue would be the apartments above most of the shops downtown. Would all of those people get the wifi as well? Because I think that wouldn't make for a very happy internet provider when their service gets cancelled.

Do some research, Great, it is not a novel idea. I think Brantford has it. Moncton for sure......Vancouver is/was working towards free transit.

Not only free wi-fi, but how about everything in the city is free too - free food, free cars, free everything. Your idea is worst than free transit.