Muni (that’s what I want)

The US wireless broadband operator Clearwire is moving into the municipal Wi-Fi arena after winning its first contract to roll out a citywide wireless internet network. Clearwire will deploy and manage a hybrid WiMAX/Wi-Fi system covering 45 square miles of the city of Grand Rapids in Michigan. The firm beat off rival bids from the likes of AT&T, EarthLink and NeoReach, all of which have been active in the municipal Wi-Fi sector for some time. So far, Clearwire has focussed on its own pre-WiMAX network deployments; it currently has 31 live networks covering around eight million potential customers. The Grand Rapids network will be deployed at no cost to city authorities, with Clearwire’s expenses being recouped via subscription charges. Free wireless internet access will be available at certain city-centre locations, however, and low-cost packages will be offered to residents on low incomes.