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France: Parlez-Vous Wi Fi? ... Oui, Un Petit Peu

It is amazing how physical distance disappears out on the Internet. I came across MunicipalNet, a French municipal wi fi site because they referenced my new website. Using Site Tracker, a software for managing websites, I found a reference to my site a week or so ago on MunicipalNet. This is part of the continuing, amazing journey of publishing a website and finding oneself a part of a larger community that you did not know existed.

I wonder how many other international sites there are out there? I'll begin a search and catalogue effort. There may well be some convenient resources out there, but it may also take a little time. Even though English has become the international business language, I'd like to find non-English sites for those who would prefer same. Please let me know and I'll start an international (foreign language) section on this site, OK?

By the way, I've communicated with Bruno Formi, Technical Director at Atawad Networks and author of the blog, and he's informed me that the French market for Muni Networks is very difficult, as it's limited to 100mw for Wifi, and for Wimax there is no license free spectrum option as there will be in the US. Forni explained that the situation is changing slowly for the better, as a new law authorizes a town or region to be a telecom operator and he predicts that the 5 GHz spectrum, now owned and controlled by the military, may be opened up by the end of year.

So if you prefer a francophone perspective, be sure to check out MunicipalNet! Allons-y, mes amis! Vive le Wi Fi!

Posted on July 12, 2005 at 10:27 AM

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