[LUAU] Wireless in Honolulu

[Maddog]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Thompson" <jim at netgate.com>
To: "LUAU" <luau at lists.hosef.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 4:11 PM
Subject: Re: [LUAU] Wireless in Honolulu


>
> On Jul 1, 2006, at 12:16 PM, Maddog wrote:
>
>> I stand corrected. Wireless Waikiki.org has a coverage map and it 
>> appears free although it is a small area.
>>
>> Jim, how big an area do they intend to blanket? How will they pay  for 
>> it? Is it supported through their commercial endeavors? If so,  won't 
>> deploying free wireless sort of kill their own income stream?  It seems 
>> to me they have Waikiki blanketed with for pay wireless  already.
>
> You should ask Shakanet (nam.vu at shaka.net), I'm just trying to get  the 
> equipment stable.  I think the plan is to get a lot bigger once  the 
> software is ready (points to self...)
>
> In my conversations with Nam, its the kiosks that are the core of  their 
> revenue.

So that begs the question. If the kiosks are the core of the business and 
they make wireless access free, what prompts me to pay for internet access 
on a kiosk? If that becomes the case then how does shakanet plan to 
subsidize access? That is where the business model gets tricky.

Radio is "Free" but not really. If you don't patronize the advertisers then 
they pull their ads. Problem is that in Hawaii there are only so many 
advertisers. You can't go to another market close by to attract new revenue. 
Since the 80's there have been a dozen rock stations that have come and 
gone, including KPOI.

MD
>
> Jim
>
>>
>> MD
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Thompson" <jim at netgate.com>
>> To: "LUAU" <luau at lists.hosef.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 11:38 AM
>> Subject: Re: [LUAU] Wireless in Honolulu
>>
>>
>>> Earthlink has already said that its only free for the first  year. 
>>> This doesn't mean that Google couldn't come in an  subsidize some  level 
>>> of access, a la San Francisco.
>>>
>>> However, there is already free wireless in Waikiki.  (via  Shakanet), 
>>> and out here at the Ko'olina the wireless (and wired)  connectivity is 
>>> free (Stay Connect).
>>>
>>> Care to explain these away, before I find more?
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> On Jul 1, 2006, at 8:23 AM, Maddog wrote:
>>>
>>>> Did you guys see the press release this week from the Mayor on a 
>>>> wireless deal with Earthlink for Honolulu? I'm telling you all,   Free 
>>>> Wi-Fi is not going to happen here. That is free as in beer.   Even as I 
>>>> read the press release there were several articles at   CNET talking 
>>>> about the expense Earthlink is going to incur  rolling  out the 
>>>> networks and how they will pay for that expense.
>>>>
>>>> Earthlink is a public company so ultimately they must answer to  the 
>>>> stockholders.
>>>>
>>>> MD
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