Speakeasy spreads wireless Net over central Seattle – Whose Wi-Fi is it?

When the Space Needle opened in 1962, it was supposed to serve as a symbol of life in the 21st century.

Forty-three years later, Seattle’s most recognizable landmark is living up to its original mission as a conduit for one of this century’s most promising communications technologies.

Today, executives from Speakeasy, Intel and Alvarion will announce that they have placed equipment on top of the 605-foot needle that will beam wireless Internet signals over a 5-square-mile area of Seattle. It is one of five high points across the city where the companies have set up antennas and radio equipment — creating what Speakeasy calls the largest and most dense wireless broadband deployment of its kind in a metropolitan city.

From Safeco Field north to Fremont and the Seattle waterfront east to Capitol Hill, the wireless network — which will be turned on today — could transform the way businesses connect to the Internet. A precursor to the much-anticipated WiMax technology, Speakeasy’s wireless network can beam data and voice over unlicensed airwaves at tremendous speeds — penetrating nearly every building in the coverage area.

By JOHN COOK
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Full Story: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/222823_wimax04.html

*******************

Whose Wi-Fi is it?

Should municipalities compete with telecom firms to provide the hottest new wireless technology? A bill backed by the Colorado Municipal League would allow cities to provide Wi-Fi if they get voters’ OK first.

By Will Shanley
Denver Post Staff Writer

A fight between telecom firms and cities over who should have the right to deliver broadband services could be decided by the public.

Some cities want to use free or low-priced wireless as an economic development tool to persuade businesses to relocate. Others see it as a public service.

But telecommunications companies such as Qwest have pushed for passage of a state law prohibiting local governments from providing television, telecommunications and high-speed Internet services, including wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi.

Full Story: http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~33~2850493,00.html