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Taking that First Step

So, you've been reading about this Municpal Wireless stuff for some time, and now you're thinking its time to take a more active role? Figuring out how to get started with something new is often the biggest challenge in any new major endeavor, whether its a diet or exercise regime, job change, or new business project.

I would argue that your organization, whether it's a city government, city council, county government, or private sector entity, should make an internal project be that first step on the road to enhanced access to wireless broadband. If you're typical, your organization probably has one or more individuals assigned to this task over the past few years, monitoring events, maybe attending one or more conferences, and maybe even providing regular briefings to senior management.

Taking a project focus will add momentum and bring order to your desires to move ahead. By raising internal awareness, getting consensus, defining an objective and putting it into writing, establishing milestones, assigning a budget, hiring a consutant - all those steps one takes when one gets serious - your organization will send a signal to its constiuents and to outsiders that you are ready and serious, and your odds for success will rise accordingly.

One headache with Municpal Wireless is that it's a many-headed Hydra, a beast that requires some time to get to know it in order to figure out the best strategy for your particular set of circumstances. Another headache is the rapid change that characterizes this new industry. Perhaps it's not unusual for any new industry to have a shifting deck of options that make market entry difficult, but that's no reason to back away from Municipal Wireless Broadband and all that it offers you. I haven't seen a better time than now to jump in, and those who waited have been rewarded with a much beter set of options than they had even one year ago.

Keep an eye on this space as I outline several opportunities to move ahead. I will be engaged in a series of activities in Central Texas in the coming months that will highlight what we all face in the near term. If you're nearby, I hope you'll contact me and we can make an appointment to meet in person. If you're distant, keep an eye on the activity and discussion in this space and see if you can use it as a model for your own area.

Most importantly, make a resolution to move ahead with plans in the next six months. There has never been a better time, and that assessment has been confirmed by conversations I've had with a variety of industry experts, from hardware manufacturers to service providers to city government leaders.

The starting gun has gone off on this race. Strap on your sneakers and tighten your laces! Warmups are over and now the real race has begun! Your actions in the next six months will go a long way to determine whether your organization and its constituents are on the front wave of beneficiaries from these new technologies and new industry changes.

Posted on October 23, 2006 at 09:49 AM

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