San Jose, California, is planning once again to launch a free, municipal wi-fi system. The outdoor network will replace San Jose’s previous wi-fi system, which was built by MetroFi in 2004 prior to the company declaring bankruptcy in 2009.
“It’s surprising to hear that San Jose – the heart of Silicon Valley – is launching a new municipal wi-fi system when faster and more reliable privately owned 4G wireless networks are coming online,” said John Stephenson, director of the Communications and Technology Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council. “Given the high costs and abysmal performance records of muni wi-fi systems in other U.S. cities, San Jose could be left with a costly enterprise that no one wants.”
Bruce Edward Walker was managing editor of InfoTech & Telecom News from 2010 to 2012.
