The Resident Advisory Council has floated the idea of providing WIFI access in The Villages. Having "free" WIFI access in The Villages sounds like a great idea. I might be all for it if it paid for itself, was reliable and totally secure. But why stop there - why not provide free wireless cable and wireless telephone services too.

Before the Resident Advisory Council trys to find new ways to spend our amenities fees, they might want to have a close look at how the VCCDD is currently spending our monthly amenities fees. Once they are comfortable with that they could then move on to new ideas like WIFI access.

Things To Consider

If they are going to consider the idea of providing WIFI access there are a number of issues that need to be considered before endorsing this idea.

1. It won't be free. If the VCCDD and the SLCDD provides the service, funds will most likely have to be diverted from the amenities fees "pool" to pay for the installation and support of the service. This means that something else will have to be sacrificed to allow this service to be provided. What do you want to give up so that everyone can have "free" WIFI?

2. Who is going to provide this service? Hopefully the awarding of contracts to provide such a service will be based on ability to provide the best service and not some other criteria.

3. Other communities attempting or considering to provide such a service are backing away from doing so because of cost and technical issues.

Stories on WIFI and Wireless Issues:

US cities' Wi-Fi dreams fading fast

http://www.physorg.com/news109734117.html


WiFi hit; lightning kills Internet access on 4th Street
Repair expected to be done this week; some complain it has other problems, too

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Sa...=1037645509137


Plant City Pinpoints Wireless Network Woes

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct...?news-breaking


What Now for Muni WiFi?

http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp...ng_sitedefault