LEFT: Aerial view of Newtowne Court, site of CPI mesh networking pilot

(This article is an update to the preceding one.)

I met with Cambridge CIO Mary Hart yesterday and got an update on the status of the Cambridge Public Internet (CPI) project. The main revision that I would make to my previous article would be to say that the current activities of the CPI, involving free wifi access through mesh networking, will not be the final word on wireless internet in the City. The City is not interested in building and managing a citywide wifi network, and is planning to choose a private vendor to provide more comprehensive wireless internet services.

Leaving the big picture aside for the moment, the current hot item is that the Newtowne Court buildings (on Main and Windsor in Cambridge) have a mesh network that is live and Hart estimates that there is 90% wifi coverage for the complex. There will be a presentation for residents this coming Monday, January 22. If you live in or next to Newtowne Court, fire up that wifi-enabled computing device and log in to the wifi network named "Cambridge Public Internet". Hart emphasizes that this is an "experiment", and the City is pursuing such projects as a way to get a hands-on introduction to the issues involved with wifi network deployment. She expects connection speeds to become an issue as network use increases. The Washington Elms houses are next on the slate.

One interesting fact is that the entire Newtowne Ct. install, which provides coverage for virtually the whole complex, cost only $5700, only half of which went toward the actual wireless hardware, the other half being needed for extra electrical work. The network plugs in to the City's internet backbone on the Windsor St. side and MIT's on the Portland St. side.

Another upcoming CPI project will involve free wifi access in Harvard Sq. The installation there will use three antennas mounted on privately-owned buildings.

The other main item of note that came out during our talk was that the City is about to issue an RFI to wireless networking contractors and will begin looking at proposals for a comprehensive wireless internet solution. The present thinking, according to Hart, is that a contractor would lease city property and have a tiered rate structure, ideally continuing to provide some form of free access, while also charging for premium services.

Brookline may provide a glimpse at what could happen in Cambridge. Last Fall, Brookline selectmen approved a license for Galaxy Internet Services of Newton, MA, to provide their town's broadband wireless services. Specific sites will have free access points, including popular gathering spots and housing authority community rooms. City departments will all get free access, as well. The network will be opened to allow for competing ISPs to resell packaged services. Whether individuals can get "wholesale" wireless directly from the Galaxy network is unclear.