New technology, stimulus funding help revive municipal broadband

Municipal broadband often brings up negative connotations thanks to the failures of some very large muni-Wi-Fi programs in 2008. However, some communities have found that broadband networks can save them money by using them as their primary network for multiple city departments. In fact, technology enhancements, wireless spectrum availability and creative funding have combined to lift municipal broadband projects off the ground.


Craig Settles, head of Successful.com, says a number of municipalities have capitalized on such a strategy. For instance, three years ago, Oklahoma City launched a muni-wireless broadband network using equipment from Tropos Networks covering 555 square miles. Today it has been adopted as the primary network used by all city departments...