I get free WiFi access in most areas downtown Jersey City, NJ right now; just sitting in front of buildings. Some people living in apartment buildings do not pay for a internet connection because they get it for free from their neighbor without them even knowing, this is perfectly legal and safe for all parties involved.

As far as city government providing free internet access, this would be very costly with WiFi because each antenna can only reach a 500' radius... However there is a new technology emerging called WiMAX IEEE 802.16. A WiMAX antenna can reach 30 miles and WiMAX is much faster than DSL or Road Runner.

WiMAX may take a few years to become available, Intel is releasing a WiMAX card soon and phones are being developed to work on WiMAX networks. It is unclear to me if a city can put up a WiMAX antenna and let the signal be broadcast for free to everyone; if this is the case then everyone in New York City could get free internet and phone service.

My opinion is that Jersey City is simply too technology backward to do anything like this. Lets get the www.cityofjerseycity.com website replaced first, then lets make sure that people can get access to computers in the library and schools before we bite off more than we can chew. What good is a free internet connection if most people in this city cannot afford a computer?

Wi-Fi is good if we can get a service provider like Earthlink to pay for it in return for free advertising. Check out this Pro-Wifi Blog.

"Fighting the Good Fight for Municipal Wireless
This blog supports readers of my new book, "Fighting the Good Fight for Municipal Wireless: Applying lessons from Philadelphia's WiFi story" (www.successful.com/fgfsummary.html). Both are devoted to helping local governments, their stakeholder groups and constituent organizations move forward to deploy municipal broadband wireless. Share your experiences and tips for making muni WiFi initiatives a reality."

http://roisforyou.blogspot.com/

As I ride down yet another pot-hole-filled, crime-ridden street after paying my ridiculously high (and growing) property tax bills, I can hardly see that wireless access for JC is a high priority. Please fix existing problems before moving on to things like this.

I wonder how it affects teh city in terms of tax revenue. I mean, if Verizon and Comcast has fewer customers here, then likely they'd be paying fewer taxes to the city, right? So, while we might be saving $40 a month in internet access (assuming that the city would be providing it "free" to us), we might be paying more in taxes to make up the difference!

I also worry...governments aren't always the best at providing customer service!

I believe some of the citywide wifi networks use a sliding scale fee. If you could charge $10/month for dsl equivalent 300/1500 service to the public, and means test for free service, it might be budget neutral but still kick the hell out of Verizon and Comcast. (boohoo). Perhaps free "visitor access" could be available at lower bandwidth.

I know means testing is an invasion of privacy, but we do it for free school lunches, why not internet?

On the other hand, this city can't even give parking tickets profitably, how could they provide wifi at any price?

wireless access is now available at the JC library. also available in some parts of Van Vorst Park, mostly along the Montgomery St. side.

soon we'll be able to boast the country's first dog run with wireless internet access.

woof wifi.

Quote:

If it's as accessible as public libraries, I'll stick with Verizon, thank you very much.

I think it's a great idea, good for residents, especially low income residents, and I think karindiann is right that this would boost property values so maybe the developers could offset some of the opposition of the telecoms.

But I also wonder how much it will cost a city that seems to lack money for basic services.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I just received this email. I think Fulop should be pushing more competetion to Jersey City as well as municipal wireless.

---------------
STATE SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO CREATE A
COMPETITIVE CABLE TV MARKET IN NEW JERSEY



This bill will result in millions of
New Jerseyans paying less for their cable television and having a choice between companies. That's a good thing.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union)
Associated Press, May 19, 2006
The New Jersey State Senate has adopted legislation to open the state cable TV market to competition. The stage is now set for passage of similar legislation by the State Assembly, and subsequently, enactment by Governor
Jon S. Corzine.

In a floor vote, the upper house of the state?s legislature passed Senate bill S192. The legislation authorizes ?a competitive system-wide franchise for certain providers of cable television service.? If signed into law, the legislation would open the door for companies like Verizon to begin offering television service in competition with the state?s old-fashioned cable TV companies.


The customer will pay less. That's the key. Competition means prices will go down.

Sen. Joseph Doria (D-Hudson)
Associated Press, May 19, 2006
According to a report released by the Federal Communications Commission in March 2006, prices are 23 percent lower in cable TV markets that have competition. And, a recent study by the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Economic Public Policy Studies found that New Jerseyans have paid more than $229 million per year in excessive cable rates because of the lack of competition.

With the New Jersey Senate?s recent action, this is about to end.

Even though New Jersey is close to having cable TV competition, your voice is needed more now than ever.

Visit www.TVChoiceNJ.com to read more about this important development, and to contact your state legislators and urge them to support cable TV choice in New Jersey

Wireless access should be as free and as accessible as public libraries. I support Councilman Fulop's initiative wholeheartedly.

However, the City Council tends to shoot down anything he puts on the table (after all, Fulop is not part of the Democratic Machine), so he'll need strong support from people like us who are fed up with paying outrageous fees and being held hostage by the utilities.

If Fulop can't get a city-wide wireless program out of his colleagues on the Council, they should agree, at the very least, to provide free wireless access in public places like libraries, municipal buildings, parks, plazas, waterfront walkways, college campuses, malls, etc.

I can imagine, though, Verizon and other communications companies lobbying the hell out of the Council and maybe even making a few political contributions (if they don't already) to keep FREE service out of Jersey City.

Support the Councilman's proposal; write to the Council and Mayor; push local neighborhood associations to lobby as hard as the utilities.

Just think: you'll be able to access JCLIST for free. :)

This is a great idea, Steve! I would love it, and it would be great for JC's kids. It would also be good for property values...really give JC an advantage for those who are looking for an easy Manhattan commute. I'll bet you could get some of the big developers on your side of this issue.
Karin

Quote:

I don't think it comes down to a choice of one or the other. Steve's made it clear that he's concerned about crime, and that he's proposing measures to curtail it. I think it's great that while working on fixing our crime problem, Steve's stayed open to persuing other quality of life goals.

Great idea. If you could pull this off, it would get a lot of great press for the city and emphasize Jersey City's rebirth. I'm totally for it.

I'd rather pay $42 a month for comcast and have my car not stolen or vandalized.

Focus on crime!

I think its a great idea, but I truly think govt should focus on cleaning up the city, streets and combat crime. That is a priority right now!

Right - $58 WITHOUT cable tv.

I checked -- Verizon DSL is available without local phone service (dry loop) for an extra $5 per month.


Quote:

KATE: The internet is really really great
TREKKIE MONSTER: For porn
KATE: I?ve got a fast connection so i don?t have to wait
TREKKIE: For porn
KATE: Huh? There's always some new site,
TREKKIE: For porn!
KATE: I browse all day and night
TREKKIE: For porn!
KATE: It's like i?m surfing at the speed of light
TREKKIE: For porn!
KATE: Trekkie!

TREKKIE: The internet is for porn
KATE: Trekkie!
TREKKIE: The internet is for porn,
KATE: What are you doing!?
TREKKIE: Why you think the net was born? Porn porn porn

Dil lo,

Porn? Is there porn on the internet???

Quote:
Actually, you do not need phone service to use Verizon DSL. I subscribed for a short time without having phone service. Also, Comcast charges $58/month if you do NOT have cable TV service. If you do then it's about $42/month.

Didn't some other city try this, like Philly? What happens if people totally abuse it by downloading massive amounts of software, music and porn? won't that slow it so much that most people would keep Verizon and Comcast accounts anyway? <"((()~*

Nice! I hope that it works out. THe charges we pay for internet are crazy (if you want fast service)

Gina

Then again I guess there are even cheaper deals on laptops -- just saw this in the news...
-----------

Locks intact, but Newport tenant's computer is gone


Friday, May 19, 2006

A woman's computer was stolen from inside her Newport apartment Tuesday, said Jersey City Police Sgt. Edgar Martinez.

The 31-year-old victim told police she left her apartment on River Drive South at 7:30 a.m. and her laptop and other computer equipment were missing when she returned at 8:30 p.m., police said.

There was no sign of forced entry into the apartment and both double locks were still on her apartment door, said Martinez.

The laptop was valued at $1,500 and police are now working with building security, said Martinez.

This sounds very smart -- It is great for everyone -- but with computers so cheap and the $100 or $200 laptop right around the corner this will be a great thing for kids growing up here!

On the surface it sounds great to me. Does anyone know how reliable these city-wide systems are? Also how does it get paid for, and what does it cost to maintain?

If it worked in Philly, maybe it can work in JC!

JC residents are being gouged by broadband ISP's.

-Verizon requires phone service, offers a lower bandwidth (Up to 768 download - the "up to" means it may be significantly less") $15/month plan or $30 for 3.0/768 which for most people is 1.5/384, and no FIOS available for years.
-Comcast charges around $58/month if there is cable on the plan.

I think it's a great idea but you're taking on some pretty heavy hitters here. After seeing all the "Verison cable tax" commercials, I find it hard to believe that the cable companies (probably Verison too since they offer DSL) are going to take this sitting down. Good luck.

Can the task force also work on updating the Jersey City webpage and making it more user friendly to all residents?

I don't always post on Jclist the agenda items I push on the council as to not inundate you, but I thought this one is of particular interest.

For me, this will be a project, I am going to get very involved with over the next several months and as this process starts at the next council agenda we can always use volunteers/help. If you have interest please e-mail me at fulops@jcnj.org

Thanks
Steve

Press Release below

Councilman Fulop Proposes a wireless telecommunications task force to make wireless internet available throughout Jersey City ? Goal of Report in 120 Days for RFP distribution

(JERSEY CITY) ? On next week's agenda, Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop will propose a resolution to the Jersey City Municipal Council that would establish a Task Force on Telecommunications Innovation that would be charged with exploring getting inexpensive wireless internet. As demonstrated in other cities throughout the country this is the first step in getting wireless internet access to all Jersey City residents.

The 8 member task force shall be composed of Jersey City's Director of Information and Technology Services (or his designee), persons with expertise in technology and telecommunications law and regulations, citizens with interest in telecommunications, two members of the Municipal Council and one representative from the office of the mayor.

"This task force is the first step in an attempt to get equal access for all Jersey City residents to media, the internet and other digital technologies. Jersey City is behind the curve with regards to other cities providing wireless internet access and this will help us close that gap? said Councilman Fulop.

"Other cities across the country are well on their way to providing inexpensive or free wireless internet for its residents. Jersey City has become the major economic and financial engine for the state of New Jersey and it only makes sense for city government to explore all is options with regard to new wireless technology," added Fulop.

The task force will report back in 120 days to put together a recommendation for a RFP process to formally provide internet service to the city