The Rio Grande Valley Wireless Initiative

As city after city across the country has declared their intention to build municipal wireless networks, we faced a critical decision: How could we build such a network — one that would bring low-cost Internet service to those who needed it, would help jump-start economicinnovation, and would help make city services more efficient — without using taxpayer dollars, which, as every local official knows, are in short supply?  Furthermore, we needed to develop a clear view of how much of a need there was for such a network.

Late  year, after the Matamoros Wireless Network had operated flawlessly for some months, we posed these questions to a task force comprised of respected business, academic and community leaders.   Then, after studying other models around the country, and wireless technologies they were using, we determined the needs of the Rio Grande Valley.  And, with a Major Hurricane, predicted in the next five years, we also wanted to make sure the network was seamless between all of our cities, cross-border, too.  The storm hitting Brownsville, is tearing up Matamoros, as well.  Reynosa and McAllen aren't that much different.

This year, the task force  recommended the city establish a non-profit entity that would use city infrastructure — light pole attachments, fire boxes, buildings, etc. — But after Earthlink reneged its commitments to Corpus Christi, it became apparent that unless community leaders are clairvoyant, or better, wireless engineers, themselves, experts would be needed.  And, with technology changing at the speed of light, the valley needed equipment which would easily upgrade and expand.

The task force made their recommendations after carefully considering two popular models used in other cities:
1) networks built by cities themselves and 2) networks built by private entities in exclusive arrangements with the municipalities.  The first option was a non-starter, since none of the leaders had experience to build a system, much less operate and maintain it.   The second model, in which a company such as Earthlink or Google agrees to underwrite the project but maintain control over its operation, was seen by the task force as akin to establishing a third monopoly, with cable and telephone companies constituting the first two.  It was decided that an outside group should build and operate the system to be owned by the city, giving the best possible solution.  This way, the operator picked the equipment and would be responsible for the outcome.  The city chosing the equipment can be a foolish and hazardous proposition, assuming it has no experts to refer to.