it would certainly change A LOT for the industry. although, i'm not sure how that model would work in terms of privacy. as a free network of that magnitude would probably need targeted advertising to support it.
what would be interesting is if a wimax-like service became a public utility (like electricity or water). you'd still have to pay, but hopefully you'd have your privacy.
It would definitely change the way certain companies operate, especially cable companies that offer all-in-one, and somewhat monopolistic, packages. Plus, the money we spend/save on internet can be put to economic circulation elsewhere.
Free, high speed wireless internet would be the most significant technological push since broadcast television and should be looked at in the same context.As broadcast television opened up the world to "the world" at large the internet, due to its interactive nature, has 10x the capability to bring people and ideas together that television could never accomplish as a one way "push" medium. Just as it's unthinkable nowadays that people would not have access to free broadcast televission, it should be equally unthinkable that people not have free access to the internet, especially as its becoming the medium of choice for access to news, information, recreation and communication.
I believe a free, wireless, high-speed Internet network is an unrealistic concept, given that nothing is truly free. Somewhere, the costs of such a network have to be covered.
Would universal apprently-free access change everything? It would change some things, but not everything.. Large numbers of people already spend larger amounts of time accessing the Internet on a pay-as-they-go basis.
What such access would do is make for more convenience for those of us who either cannot afford or will not budget for such access.
Given the rudeness we already see with people using their cell phones and Blackberries at inappropriate times and in inappropriate places, the downside would be more of this kind of activity. And more grey hairs for we who lead our "packs", as the rude arrogant members of our 'gang' use their tools as toys during meetings.
"Change Everything" is too vast a way to describe it but yes some new services will start and it will modify some current ways of doing things. There will still be a very last majority of things that will be left untouched.
It would make us less likely to interact with other live people but instead to IM or twitter them. Shut off the net and go for a walk with another person, talk and LISTEN.
No, no, no. Ubiquitous, free wireless does not work in the USA. Repeat, it does not work, that is the desired benefits are not realized.
What it would do is create a market for the hardware, infrastructure and site placements, and quite a few jobs for installers.
Otherwise vast swathes of the network would go un or underutilized most of the time.
The billions already spent, and the billions about to be spent by wireless carriers and telecoms on mobile internet (and eventually wimax) are the reality. EVDO, HSDPA et al trump the limited range and clumsy of wifi.
Nick Braak
Analyst and a fan of Broadband in all forms
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May 30, 2008 at 10:04am
justin powellit would certainly change A LOT for the industry. although, i'm not sure how that model would work in terms of privacy. as a free network of that magnitude would probably need targeted advertising to support it.
what would be interesting is if a wimax-like service became a public utility (like electricity or water). you'd still have to pay, but hopefully you'd have your privacy.
May 30, 2008 at 11:07am
Fast Company staffThe FCC is considering just such a plan. More information can be found at http://tinyurl.com/43jsgu
May 30, 2008 at 11:14am
Rachel KingIt would definitely change the way certain companies operate, especially cable companies that offer all-in-one, and somewhat monopolistic, packages. Plus, the money we spend/save on internet can be put to economic circulation elsewhere.
May 30, 2008 at 12:11pm
Chase WegmannFree, high speed wireless internet would be the most significant technological push since broadcast television and should be looked at in the same context.As broadcast television opened up the world to "the world" at large the internet, due to its interactive nature, has 10x the capability to bring people and ideas together that television could never accomplish as a one way "push" medium. Just as it's unthinkable nowadays that people would not have access to free broadcast televission, it should be equally unthinkable that people not have free access to the internet, especially as its becoming the medium of choice for access to news, information, recreation and communication.
May 30, 2008 at 12:54pm
Carel Two-EagleI believe a free, wireless, high-speed Internet network is an unrealistic concept, given that nothing is truly free. Somewhere, the costs of such a network have to be covered.
Would universal apprently-free access change everything? It would change some things, but not everything.. Large numbers of people already spend larger amounts of time accessing the Internet on a pay-as-they-go basis.
What such access would do is make for more convenience for those of us who either cannot afford or will not budget for such access.
Given the rudeness we already see with people using their cell phones and Blackberries at inappropriate times and in inappropriate places, the downside would be more of this kind of activity. And more grey hairs for we who lead our "packs", as the rude arrogant members of our 'gang' use their tools as toys during meetings.
May 30, 2008 at 1:28pm
Syamant Sandhir"Change Everything" is too vast a way to describe it but yes some new services will start and it will modify some current ways of doing things. There will still be a very last majority of things that will be left untouched.
May 30, 2008 at 4:48pm
Matt McCoyDepends on coverage - if it reached into rural areas, yes. If it is restricted to urban wi-fi gluts, no.
May 30, 2008 at 7:36pm
David GibsonIt would make us less likely to interact with other live people but instead to IM or twitter them. Shut off the net and go for a walk with another person, talk and LISTEN.
May 30, 2008 at 11:49pm
Nick BraakNo, no, no. Ubiquitous, free wireless does not work in the USA. Repeat, it does not work, that is the desired benefits are not realized.
What it would do is create a market for the hardware, infrastructure and site placements, and quite a few jobs for installers.
Otherwise vast swathes of the network would go un or underutilized most of the time.
The billions already spent, and the billions about to be spent by wireless carriers and telecoms on mobile internet (and eventually wimax) are the reality. EVDO, HSDPA et al trump the limited range and clumsy of wifi.
Nick Braak
Analyst and a fan of Broadband in all forms
May 31, 2008 at 8:46am
kiona popeYes it would because I need to talk more to my friends.
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