Why No More WiFi

Last time I spoke to Simon F, he was complaining that there was not enough WiFi service available to keep him and his new iPod Touch connected at all times. This in a city whose downtown is blanketed by a WiFi network provided by Toronto Hydro. I’ve never tried the service myself – for the time it was in a free trial, I didn’t live within the area covered.

Toronto is not the only city to attempt such a scheme. However, the takeup has not quite been as expected in cities across the United States, particularly where private companies are relied on to provde (and make money off of) the service. According to Slate, what success stories there are come from towns where WiFi access is treated as a public good and invested in accordingly.

Here in Toronto, officials say they are pleased with the number of subscribers to the service (now starting at $30/month). Apparently they were expecting 10% of free users to subscribe and are ahead of their projections.