IP Democracy: AT&T Lands Springfield in First Solo Muni Wi-Fi Effort

With local governments launching new muni-Wi-Fi networks at a rapid clip, it was only a matter of time before incumbent telcos and cable operators stopped fighting the municipal broadband trends and started vying to become the network providers for these public ventures. AT&T has apparently seen the light — the nation’s top telco is the lead contender to build the municipal network in Springfield, Illinois.

The Springfield network will offer residents either free, ad-supported Wi-Fi or premium Wi-Fi without ads. For AT&T, not only does the deal foreclose a potential competitor, but it also gives the telco the ability to offer its DSL customers a Wi-Fi option. AT&T will offer wireless broadband service as an add-on to its business and residential DSL options.

Springfield isn’t AT&T’s only muni-Wi-Fi effort. The company also has a partnership with MetroFi for Riverside, CA and is bidding for muni-projects in at least twelve other cities.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on August 30, 2006 9:40 AM to IP Democracy