Wireless World: City WiFi networks growing

By Gene J. Koprowski
UPI Technology News

Published 11/12/2004 10:16 AM
CHICAGO, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Large-scale wireless data networks are emerging as the latest high-tech economic development tool across the United States, appearing in major metro area downtowns and smaller suburban central business districts. This is a much larger phenomenon, experts told United Press International, than the appearance last year of "hot zones" for Wireless Fidelity networks that provided connectivity in coffee shops, hotels or airports.Research by Tropos Networks, a provider of wireless networking technology in Silicon Valley, Calif., found there are about 48 municipalities with wireless broadband networks, stretching from Adel, Ga., to Cleveland and San Diego. By next summer, the number is expected to surge to 200 and just over two years from now that figure could be as high as 1,500, according to research provided to United Press International by Tropos.
--Wireless World is a weekly series by UPI examining emerging wireless telecommunications technologies. E-mail sciencemail [at] upi.com