Cincinnati Puts Freeze On Free WiFi Service

In fine Cincinnati form, the city has planned to squelch its plans to increase the number of free WiFi hot spots around town.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Civitium, a Georgia company that has worked for Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, among others, was hired to advise local officials. According to the company's blog, the firm proclaimed that "capital-constrained muni WiFi operators have shifted their business models to require revenue commitments from local governments recently, as a condition for agreeing to build Wi-Fi networks."

In layman's terms, WiFi operators are now requiring up front monies from the city government's change purse before they make a commitment to come in and build WiFi networks, a snag that the city had not been expecting.

The Enquirer also reported that Milton Dohoney, Cincinnati's City Manger, said in a memo explaining the shifting of gears, that the city likely would not get a favorable response if it issued a request for proposals to build a network. The projects can cost millions.

Cincinnati, needs to bite the big one and pony up the money to do something innovative, that will bring in a varied clientele to the city. I know its easier said than done but if we were able to raise enough money to keep city pools open longer during the summer, I am sure that we can find money to get the WiFi project off the ground.