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Wireless (and Wired) Minneapolis

COUNCIL LOOKING INTO WIRELESS ACCESS; PLAN IS TO WAIT AND SEE RESULTS IN MINNEAPOLIS

BYLINE: ROBERT INGRASSIAPioneer Press

DATELINE: ST. PAUL

BODY:
As Minneapolis plunges ahead with a plan to create a citywide wireless Internet network, the St. Paul City Council decided Wednesday to ease into the complex and potentially costly issue.

Council members agreed to form a staff committee to study options that would ensure that St. Paulites have access to affordable, high-speed Internet connections. The panel will examine which technology might suit St. Paul best and study how other cities, including Minneapolis, have decided to handle broadband issues.

Council Member Lee Helgen, who helped initiate the Internet discussion in St. Paul, said he is pleased with the city's efforts.

"We're moving at a really quick pace," Helgen said. "There's a strong sense of support for getting more information about it, and I think St. Paul is going to be on the cutting edge."

After hearing a staff report, Helgen suggested several steps for the city to pursue. His colleagues agreed to direct staff to establish the committee and to develop ways to create wireless Internet "hot spots" at libraries and recreation centers.

The council also asked Mayor Randy Kelly's office to initiate a $30,000 budget amendment this year to pay for a study of Internet needs and to create the hot spots.

Council Member Pat Harris expressed concerns about setting aside city funds without knowing what a study might entail or what the funds would buy.

"Before we start looking for money for consultants, I'd like to see what the staff committee comes up with," he said.

Council members didn't indicate whether they would support a city-run Internet service.

Several Minnesota cities, including Buffalo and Chaska, have created municipal broadband services that provide low-cost Internet connections to residents and businesses. Many other U.S. cities are doing the same.

Minneapolis is taking a different course. Officials are seeking bids from private companies to build and operate a wireless service. As proposed, the company running the system in Minneapolis would install equipment on city-owned property, provide wireless communication service to the city for a fee and sign up residential and commercial subscribers.

Helgen said St. Paul will keep a close watch on what happens in Minneapolis. Should a host of bidders emerge, St. Paul most likely would consider that model, he said. But if the Minneapolis proposal fizzles, St. Paul would be on track to pursue other avenues, he said.