Friday, March 18, 2005
Wifi Movement
While I would guess that the lifespan on wifi is probably only another 5-7 years (before something with higher bandwidth and expanded range takes its place), I would say that within 18 months you'll be able to go virtually anywhwere and get connected. It will be a boon for freeing people from their offices, and allowing people to move meetings to more natural locations.
Panera Bread has been a leader and is mentioned in this article, as is my favorite coffee house (Mammoth Coffee). I don't know who the hell is going to Starbucks, overpaying for coffee and then turning around to pay $6 for a single hour of internet access. When you have choices like Panera and Mammoth, why the heck would you go to Starbucks?
On another note, the Chamber of Commerce Regional Leadership Forum is planning to expand this free wifi love throughout the city. They have marketing firm LPK and Ann Keeling on the job, so the branding and marketing of the product is sure to be amazing. Give Back Cincinnati will be the handoff partner, and some great talent from previous Give Back Cincinnati boards will be leading the charge, including Ryan Rybolt (founder of Give Back), and Jodi McIntosh.
They've got Hyde Park square slated as the pilot location, with other spots from NKY to Middleton to Northside to Dearborn County, IN in the works. Once the pilot locations get off the ground the rest will come fast and furious, as business districts see the benefits, and the relatively inexpensive cash layout to get it going and keep it running.
Panera Bread has been a leader and is mentioned in this article, as is my favorite coffee house (Mammoth Coffee). I don't know who the hell is going to Starbucks, overpaying for coffee and then turning around to pay $6 for a single hour of internet access. When you have choices like Panera and Mammoth, why the heck would you go to Starbucks?
On another note, the Chamber of Commerce Regional Leadership Forum is planning to expand this free wifi love throughout the city. They have marketing firm LPK and Ann Keeling on the job, so the branding and marketing of the product is sure to be amazing. Give Back Cincinnati will be the handoff partner, and some great talent from previous Give Back Cincinnati boards will be leading the charge, including Ryan Rybolt (founder of Give Back), and Jodi McIntosh.
They've got Hyde Park square slated as the pilot location, with other spots from NKY to Middleton to Northside to Dearborn County, IN in the works. Once the pilot locations get off the ground the rest will come fast and furious, as business districts see the benefits, and the relatively inexpensive cash layout to get it going and keep it running.
