My Vision - Small & Simple MetroNet Projects, By the Thousands

My Vision: MetroNets Linked into a MetroNetwork

We're still moments out of the starting gate in this new era, and despite the bad news about unwinding early "Municipal Wireless" projects whose foundational concepts were fatally flawed, there's a growing appreciation for broadband as the infrastructure that will enable the necessary digital transitions we all will soon face, as we seek new ways to accomplish more, or even, to hold on to what we have, in the face of dwindling resources and new consequences like climate change. We face a challenge of critical importance to our modern society, one we must acknowledge and overcome - our future and that of our children depends on building a 21st century information infrastructure out to the last mile, which will assure that we can leverage digital technologies to hold on to the dramatic gains our civilization has seen over the past two centuries. We overcome or we begin a slide into decline.

In the short history of this new industry (from the first network projects in late 2003, through the hyped up Philadelphia days in 2004, to the legislative debate on municipal bans in 2005, to the maturing phases of deployments in 2006, to the withdrawal of EarthLink in 2007 to the unwinding of first generation Municipal Wireless projects in 2008, to today's rejection of the original concept of Muni Wireless), we've seen a steady diet of news and press about new wired and wireless broadband technology deployments using Wi Fi mesh, consolidation in WiMax, fiber deployments and the decline of Broadband Over Powerlines (BPL) - and unfortunately, much of the recent news has been negative. But there's a silver lining to this particular cloud.

We see a growing awareness in this country concerning broadband tools and new ways of looking at things - with increasing skill and experience, these experiments are taking hold and gaining momentum. Sure, there are fits and starts, like the recent news about EarthLink getting out of Municipal Wireless and big city deployments. But the band plays on, and we're getting more savvy - every mistake made means another lesson learned, if we're smart about things. The rejection of the early models has led to a reconsideration of how to use these new technologies best.

By all means, let's acknowledge that the industry has stumbled recently. Of course there are growing pains and lessons being learned. We're trying out new technologies as well as new business models, so it would be more unusual to expect to see everything going swimmingly, wouldn't it? There are numerous challenges to face at the technological, business and political levels, and its natural for there to be trips and stumbles along the way. But let's not dwell on the past either.

As creators of new approaches to broadband, it behooves us to keep our eyes and ears open and to learn as much as we can from each other. We need to be that much more diligent, more hard-working, smarter, quicker, and more innovative - we need to raise our collective IQs - if we are to effect change and promote an alternative viewpoint. The predominate Internet service providers are assured of their own role in providing connectivity and services. But this digital transition phase is not about them, per se. Field digital transition is about mobile broadband. The status quo of fixed broadband is not the enemy, no more than the large telecom and cable companies are. We're all in this together, and innovators show the incumbents and the rest of the nation what is possible with new tools and new ways of looking at old problems. Incumbents are positioned to adopt mobile broadband where it makes sense and can participate in these digital transitions if they so choose.

Increasingly, city leaders recognize that the private sector can help them to realize their broadband visions. Collaboration inside and outside communities is gaining credibility: whether between city departments to build a joint business case, between local stakeholders to reach a shared vision for the community, or among communities for regional efficiencies, I'm seeing more evidence and potential for consensus and working together.

My Vision for MetroNets continues to expand as I enter this fourth year of blogging - these systems do more than extend the Internet to all reaches of a city. MetroNets provide cities with a communications infrastructure that staff can use for a variety of purposes to run their cities better. MetroNets provide communities and individuals with new ways to experience their lives inside their communities. And MetroNets send a signal to the rest of the world about the dynamic economic development environment in the city. It's a MetroNet Triple Play for cities that get it right: more efficient city government, more and better options to connect with broadband, and a more dynamic economic development climate.

But if we are to witness not only digital transition, but also a bona fide transformation in how cities operate and how citizens communicate, more cities will have to pick up the pace and start projects, moving beyond discussion to action. It's time for us all to raise our Network IQs, get serious, and get busy. I've worked over the past three plus years with this website to promote a higher level of discussion, based on informed debate and facts. And I've promoted a more rational approach to broadband proliferation than the scatter-shot municipal RFPs we have seen so far in early market development.

I'm passionate about a deliberate approach, about consensus, about technology innovation and about efficient business process. As a metropolitan broadband consultant, I was an early proponent of a more deliberate and effective model for broadband infrastructure deployment. I'm actively pursuing local governments with a focus in my region, Texas, for consulting engagements to help them get started. I encourage you to email me if you're ready to get a project started in your town and want some help or advice.

Since I shifted focus to smaller cities and towns, specifically to the smaller city of San Marcos in Central Texas, I've seen my vision of wireless as public infrastructure begin to be realized. Since I engaged in a regional collaboration project in its early stages in Orange County, CA, I've seen my vision of a region working together take shape. I've begun a new focus on smaller communities in the Rural Broadband space, where I believe the action will be going forward.

I'm promoting a standard approach to MetroNets designed to speed up the pace of progress, shortening purchasing cycles and promoting better decision-making by government officials, and a more complete, comprehensive, consensus-oriented approach. It may take longer, but these projects will have lasting success if they enjoy broad political support based on an informed citizenry.

I've started a companion website www.wikimetronet.com, where I've laid out a 200-section MetroNet User's Manual outline for anyone interested in the building blocks of metropolitan broadband. That site is available to concentrate the lessons learned by city leaders and bring together vendors to contribute content to help it grow. I've started that process and I'll keep adding content as I have time (it's been a slow process!), but it'll go faster with many hands, so jump in. The door is open on this industry-community project - contact me to see how to get started.

I encourage you to take initiative and participate with me, to transform this site and the Wiki into a larger MetroNetwork community. You also should get a Starter Digital Transition Project underway in your community as soon as possible - there's no longer any reason to wait. At this point in 2008, I have to ask, "Why would anyone wait any longer to get a digital transition project started?" Chip in your insights, discoveries, and lessons learned. Working together, we can get this show on the road and make things happen!

John Cooper
Founder, MetroNetIQ.com