BY DAVE PARRO
Two years ago, when Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner outlined the three major projects in his first budget, he included a citywide wireless network that would "close the digital divide" between residents who can already afford high-speed Internet access and those who can't. In May 2006, the City Council approved a contract with MetroFi for a free network that would include 600 to 900 wireless antennas.
So far, the California company has installed about 150 antennas. Weisner admitted for the first time last week that he is disappointed in MetroFi's pace. Company officials insist they're still working out an agreement with ComEd for the use of utility poles.
MetroFi's coverage map, however, shows what's really going on. The company wants to provide service only where it can make the most money; hence, the clusters in Aurora only cover downtown and the wealthier areas of town.
So much for bridging the digital divide.
Weisner should be outraged that MetroFi is taking so long and cherry-picking its market because he made a free citywide Wi-Fi network one of his biggest first-term priorities. So far, almost no one on the near sides of the city can take advantage of the service.
Aurora is no longer a priority partly because the free model is already outdated. By setting up the network in wealthier areas like Stonebridge and the far West Side, MetroFi is more likely to sell subscriptions to its faster service.
In addition to demographics, the reason the network is progressing on the far East Side is because that's where a network devoted to a public-safety frequency is being tested. If it works out, Aurora would purchase services from MetroFi for the police and fire departments.
Obviously MetroFi is in this business to make money, and providing free service in low-income areas doesn't accomplish that. But Weisner sold the public on this network partly because it would service those neighborhoods. While it hasn't cost taxpayers anything, he needs to get MetroFi on board with that vision. Otherwise, maybe it's time to impose a deadline on the company and require service in specific parts of the city.
In the meantime, the digital divide keeps growing.
Unfortunately, there are several statements in this post that are inaccurate.
Myth #1: "The company wants to provide service only where it can make the most money; hence, the clusters in Aurora only cover downtown and the wealthier areas of town."
Fact: MetroFi deploys CITYWIDE networks, not just to wealthy areas. Customers of the network's advertisers include people across the income spectrum. Additionally, MetroFi isn't 'cherry-picking its market'. We deployed equipment first to the utility poles that the city owns.
Myth #2: "Aurora is no longer a priority"
Fact: Aurora is one of MetroFi's top priorities. Our CEO has made this clear to every single MetroFi employee, and we have communicated this to the City of Aurora as well.
Myth #3: "MetroFi is more likely to sell subscriptions to its faster service."
Fact: Less than 1% of all MetroFi users (across the nine cities we serve) opt for the ad-free subscription service. We don't focus our revenue-generating energies on this area of our business. Instead, we focus on advertising and municipal services.
Please note:
Utilization of the Aurora network continues to increase, and we welcome more users -- regardless if they are rich or poor or somewhere in between. We are close to finalizing an agreement with ComEd, and we appreciate the public's patience as we work through this necessary pre-requisite to dramatically expand the Aurora network.