[Hidden-tech] Municipal Broadband in Northampton

[Tom Kopec]

My take on the Amherst WiFI situation, from a purely user perspective:

Coverage is spotty, performance is generally so-so. But you can get some 
level of access in all of downtown, and you pretty much can't get 
streaming-video-level access anywhere.

But, as far as I can tell it is driven more from the UMass CS (and 
possibly PVTA) perspective.

It would be a great business draw to be able to relieve individual 
businesses from the burden of providing their customers wifi access, 
understanding that having a seamless connectivity framework is a way to 
provide a seamless experience to patrons coming into town.

On the other hand, I'm not so clear that providing free (and 
awesome-bandwidth)  internet access to all residents in the downtown 
area is an idea ready for prime time. Or that it should be.

Kinda speaking off the top of my head here.. sorry..

...tom

On 11/29/2013 4:44 PM, Shel Horowitz, Ethical/Green Marketing Expert wrote:
>
> Amherst has town wi-fi--might be good to talk to someone over there.
> Though frankly, I have had very poor experience trying to log on to
> the town wi-fi network from e.g., Amherst Coffee.
>
> At 1:08 PM -0500 11/29/13, Seth Fischer wrote:
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I am interested in promoting the idea of Municipal (offered)
>> Broadband in Northampton. Comcast is simply too expensive and low
>> speed for the citizens and businesses in Northampton. I believe
>> Municipal Broadband would help the residents, as well as make the
>> City more appealing to businesses.
>>
>> I believe Northampton is an idea location, as such as large percent
>> of the population is within 1 mile of downtown.
>>
>> I have spoken with a City Councillor who expressed significant
>> interest in (at least) exploring the idea.
>>
>> Does anyone know any of the issues related to a Municipal Broadband
>> initiative?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Seth Fischer
>>