Comments on: FREE! "FREE" INTERNET IN AKRON! (for some)

By: Daystar

Daystar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:08:22 +0000

This is ridiculous. The city has $800,000 to spend on an unneeded, highly experimental Wi-fi system which has already failed in other areas.
While it presently has several traffic lights under study in the city to see if it is cost effective to replace them with stop signs.
Can you say oxymoron? Yes, I knew you could.

By: DA

DA — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:42:07 +0000

I just sit in my car outside hotels that offer free wi-fi

By: Security Shoggoth

Security Shoggoth — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:59:48 +0000

For the one who responded to be concerning its not just security issues - you are absolutely 100% correct. While I don't see conflictions with other wireless networks a huge problem - there will be some.

Plus, where is Akron going to get the bandwidth for this? With potentially 80,000 people on the network thats alot of bytes moving around - don't expect it to be speedy. We're talking dial-up speeds most likely.

I can think of one good thing for this, however. I do malware research and I can tell you I just found the next place I'll be collecting my viruses from!

By: Kyle Kutuchief

Kyle Kutuchief — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:30:21 +0000

Mike D., the city is proposing free internet as a part of a larger strategy to develop that corridor of the city. The primary focus plan is also to revitalize the residential neighborhood in the free internet zone. I should have made that point earlier, but I believe that it will help the businesses I mentioned. This area of Akron is struggling, but has potential. City provided internet would likely create more demand for rental properties in the neighborhood. If I was looking to buy a home, I would at least look at this neighborhood. Free internet would not be a deciding factor, but it would be a nice bonus. My hope is that this pilot program for free internet is successful and expands to our downtown and other parts of the city.

I support this issue as someone who drives through this neighborhood everyday. I want the housing to improve so it is safer. I'd like to be able to ride my bike down to the Mustill Store and hop on the Towpath without worrying about safety. I'd like to see more businesses so I can go get dinner and buy cool stuff without driving far. Again, I don't think free internet alone is going to make these things happen. But, I do think it can help.

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:58:16 +0000

The state of Ohio needs to install wireless internet statewide…at least the main corridors. Of course, Ohio can't do that…..because big monopolistic cable companies must be protected.

Akron makes a modest gesture towards that effort and conservatives mock and ridicule…..predictable.

Ohioans want more good jobs and more good business opportunities. Statewide wireless is one of the few immediate methods of accomplishing that goal.

Kudos to Akron.

By: angry conserv

angry conserv — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:24:56 +0000

Glad to see the gov. is taking care of the people's needs. But what about the people that cannot afford a basic computer or lack the skills? Once again the poor and elderly are being left out. Shouldnt we make sure that all people have convienent(the library is not) access. Isn't the government's job to make sure that we create equal outcome when possible. I am sure Akron U will contribute their hard earned money to help those in need.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:49:32 +0000

Go Mike D!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:23:00 +0000

Kyle - if i am a coffee shop owner deciding to move into akron or a more lucrative location, i am not going to let the $40-$100 a month cost of my own private wireless internet as opposed to "free" akron internet sway my decision at all. i think you are way overestimating the meaningfullness of this for small businesses. if nothing else, if i were a small business owner currently offering free wireless access to customers i would be pissed off that the city was going to waste my tax money on this, when this is already a draw to get people in my place of business and buying my wares.

furthermore, if you have a small business that does rely on/can't leverage high speed internet how is this really a bgi plus to you anyhow - at least not to the degree that you would say to yourself, boy this is really a great reason to stay located in akron.

if nothing, this is a low value-added proposition that is expensive for many and benefits few.

you could probably generate just as much positive business implication in akron spending $800k in tax money by announcing a given hour every month where $67K would be dropped from the wiondow of a downtown office building

By: Kyle Kutuchief

Kyle Kutuchief — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:31:32 +0000

My opinion on this issue comes from several case studies on cities offering free internet to citizens I read during my graduate course work. The idea of free internet isn't new. In a five minute Google search I found a more recent example of the City of Cambridge partnering with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a program similar to the one being offered in Akron. This is exciting stuff that Akron is doing. I don't support it because it is a knee jerk reaction. I support it because the research I have read indicates that it can be an important part of a plan to help revitalize a neighborhood or city. Also, I don't live in the area where the free internet is being offered so I don't think it will impact my property value. I do hope it raises the property value in that area so the property taxes increase accordingly and the city gets the investment back from the growth. The increased sales taxes will also help.

Mike D., I think coffee shops and restaurants, education related businesses, and those small businesses who don't rely on high speed internet might have the incentive to move into the free internet zone. I agree that it doesn't create jobs, but it might help that area develop.

By: Re: Security Shoggoth

Re: Security Shoggoth — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:26:16 +0000

It's not just Security. I see the main problem is going to be connection issues and conflicts with other wireless routers and devices. Uers are going to be connecting to the wrong networks they will think they are on their home network but they're on the Free akron network and vice a vesa.

Home wireless network user better start password prtecting there wireless network and stop broadcasting the SSID.

The other issue is, where is akron going to get the bandwidth to support that many users and how much is it going to cost? They better get a large block of public Ip address. Also if they have every user under one public Ip address…thats just stupid and dangerous!

By: Marc C

Marc C — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:18:01 +0000

I think this is a great step forward for Akron.

By: Joe M

Joe M — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:07:29 +0000

Has anyone thought about how a lower income family in Akron is going to access the free WiFi they will get? Mr. Sommerville?

By: Glass City Jungle | Remember Toledo’s free wi-fi dreams? Akron to spend $800,000

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:07:10 +0000

[...] was cost, that it wasn't going to work out? Well down in Akron, Ben on The Point shares, The (Akron) City Council voted Monday to spend about $800,000 over the next five years to provide free wireless Internet service in and around downtown [...]

By: Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:02:51 +0000

Akron has a deputy mayor? LOL

By: largebill

largebill — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:27:37 +0000

The same people who are fooled into thinking this is free also think free health care is free. Nothing is free. Politicians may fool the easily fooled into thinking things are free, but all they are doing is adding a level of bureaucracy and hiding how the bill is paid. Unless doctors and pharmaceutical companies take a vow of poverty there will not be free health care. Also, as the government picks up more of the tab for health care you can count on the quality decreasing.

By: larry d.

larry d. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:39:01 +0000

I wouldn't trust even my home internet service to a citywide wireless system at the present time.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:04:17 +0000

this should have zero impact to businesses wanting to move to akron. how would this possibly benefit a business? no business would use a citywide open wireless internet to operate because of security and speed reasons alone. the only potential upside to them would be the city attracting more talented workers to want to live there because of the free interent and the businesses movig there because there are desirable workers there - and that just plain won't happen - workers move to cities because of jobs, jobs don't typically move to cities (especially like akron) because of workers (rarest of exceptions being places like LA, NY, San Fran, etc)

By: Ben Keeler

Ben Keeler — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:53:36 +0000

Kyle, I am not surprised you support this. The city could announce they were firing 19 cops to pay for "Haircuts for Seniors" and you would applaud it due to your reflex to defend Akron.

It may raise your property value, but that still will be offset plus much more by high crime, no jobs, and bad schools.

By: Security Shoggoth

Security Shoggoth — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:50:31 +0000

I think this is a hugely bad idea. I have not heard word one about how security will be implemented in this and there are ALOT of security issues.

http://secshoggoth.blogspot.com/2008/07/akrons-free-city-wide-wireless.html

By: Kyle Kutuchief

Kyle Kutuchief — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:35:15 +0000

I strongly support this idea. I hope this wireless internet corridor raises the property values and helps business development in that part of Akron. Yes, it is somewhat experimental, but I'm glad the investment is being made because I think the potential for success is there. Plus, think of how many more people will have the opportunity to read our fine website.