While other big cities’ municipal Wi-Fi plans are foundering, that of Minneapolis appears to be succeeding. With 30% of the city covered already, the provider US Internet expects to complete it’s network by February, and be breaking even shortly after based on the current 5% subscriber take-up rate.
What did US Internet do in Minneapolis that EarthLink and others failed to do elsewhere? They planned the network with greater density, so that even while costs went up, they didn’t double or triple. They secured a contract for services from the city. They obtained an advanced payment against services from the city. They responded quickly in an emergency—the bridge collapsed—earning enormous goodwill, while showing the flexibility of their system.
[Source: WNN|author: Glenn Fleishman]
