Boston wants a non-profit group to manage the proposed citywide WiFi network, thus allowing it to promote technological innovation without having to spend taxpayers' money. Under the proposal, the non-profit group will raise the money through donations and possibly equity and debt financing, sell network service at wholesale prices, and let other entities offer free or fee-based service to end users. The city will make its resources like light poles available for the network and will purchase wireless capacity at wholesale to enable new services like VoIP. Surplus profits will be used for community programs to encourage low-income people to go online.
Via [pcworld.com]