Jumping into this discussion late-- I'm guessing that the wireless Internet service RFP will result in Minneapolis granting a franchise to a company or group of companies to provide the service and use city right-of-way to do so. The franchise could include any number of provisions (price caps, security requirements, aesthetic considerations--how ugly the transmitters can be, free workshops for residents). It will also likely include a franchise fee (basically rent to use the public right-of-way for a commercial purpose).
I just hope that this goes better that the cable TV franchise wars of 20 years ago. After getting some very good public benefits written into the franchise, the cable company (Rogers Cable at that time) came back with a sob story--"our marketing projections were wrong, we can not afford what we agreed to"--and the city backed down/caved in. Minneapolis lost a lot of the potential benefit. This city initiative deserves the attention of all of us. ................................. Sheldon Mains Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
