Top 10 issues to consider when building a city-wide Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi has arrived.

Technology today is as vital to economic growth as transportation and utilities systems were in the past. With every passing day, it seems, another local government announces – with much fanfare–plans to deploy a wireless network. In the last 12 months alone, over a dozen major U.S. cities have begun developing wireless network across the city that will enable citizens to access the Internet from their homes, businesses, shops, public institutions and parks.

Of course, a well-built wireless network can be an incredible asset to a city or community. There are many reasons to consider Wi-Fi networks. They can:

* provide access to bandwidth and speed that people would otherwise go without;

* provide a boost to small businesses;

* help revitalize downtown; and

* showcase the readiness of a community to compete in the 21st Century.

But the Wi-Fi waters are not without peril. Jumping into the Wi-Fi game blind to its challenges can squander financial and technology resources, as well as the public trust.

Before you launch your Wi-Fi campaign, be sure you have addressed the following issues:

By Charles Kaylor, Scott Page, Chris Steins and Wally Siembab

http://www.planningtechnology.com/news/wifitopten.html