Digital Cities: Metropolitan Network Survey

What are cities trying to do with broadband networks?

Increased productivity
Mobile worker efficiencies
Public safety enhancements
Digital Inclusion (need a network to deliver eGovt services)
Traffic management
Infrastructure (utility) management
Etc,etc

Existing Technology can be accelerated with new technologies, and there is a boatload of technologies to work with. For instance, networked home Wi Fi - FON initiative - is a 2nd generation technology that builds on an existing technology - and its emergent. Also, 3G cellular is out there. Wi Fi mesh holds great potential and that will only move forward faster with WiMax. Spectrum is a big issue, to be sure.

LIke Family Feud, "Survey Says:" Many priorities, see above. 23 respondents to the latest survey reflect the focus on Texas, given that 85% of attendees here in Houston are from Texas cities.

Mobility support, in vehicles as well as stationary.
4.9 GHz band for public safety draws a lot of interest

Focusing on the Role of Local Governments, the survey showed these things for a city to do
1. Anchor Tenants (fewer than nationally)
2. Incentives
3. Strucuture
4. Demand Aggregator
5. City owned network that leases space (more than nationally)

Financing? Balance between tax money and private sector funding.

Business Models are 1) Public Private Partnership model (Philly, Minneapolis); 2) Private owned and operated (small towns especially); 3) City owns and operates; 4) City owns and outsources management.

What can incumbent telecos do?
even split between partner, systems integrator, and managed service provider - they see a role for the incumbent - an interesting point to note.

Go to market pricing strategy?
17% Free, 11% Free with options to upgrade, 28% Free for low-income, tiered price for the rest; 28% Tiered pricing, 17% Other.

There will be more results, more final towards the end of this conference.