It should be no surprise that many city governments are giving up plans for government-run universal WiFi service. (USA Today, Sept. 21). It was always foolish to imagine that a top-down, bureaucratic scheme could supply wireless Internet, in an entire large city, at a reasonable price. WiFi has been spreading all over America very successfully thanks to free market entrepreneurs who can adapt to the circumstances of particular locations. One-size-fits-all government plans are inflexible and inefficient. Let’s recognize that 21st century economic freedom, not the failed socialist model of the 19th century, will continue to bring WiFi to more and more consumers.
David B. Kopel ([email protected]) is the author of the book Antitrust after Microsoft, and writes on technology issues for the Heartland Institute in Chicago.
