Dis-Connected City: Is Municipal Wireless Right for New York?

Abstract

The history of municipal wireless projects in the United States has been a mixed one, with success dependent on the type of operating model and a variety of local factors. This paper reviews a number of these projects and examines the policy rationales behind providing municipal wireless services. It then looks at the state of wireless and broadband accessibility in New York City, and considers how the City might promote accessibility in keeping with the policy rationales identified.

Keywords: wireless policy, broadband, New York City, local government