Building Wireless Metropolitan Networks

This paper describes the main aspects of building wireless networks, as described by the eCity idea of municipal networks owned and controlled by a central authority versus the anarchic design of open communities using as a case study Patras Wireless Metropolitan Network. The paper points out the important economic aspects that lead to the rigorous development and notates the main issues when using commercial equipment, as in the hot-city project driven by Cisco and the City of Luxemburg. Some discussion is done to point out the main differences among the two case studies, in terms of offered services, network coverage and the impact to the local societies. The important criteria into characterizing each approach is a discussion on the vision, objectives, and the expected benefits to each of the involved parties. Finally, it is evaluated if such an investment is profitable and whether a wISP should deploy such an infrastructure even if the economic criteria propose otherwise. Finally, the paper concludes on how these could lead to further local business development, improving the value of the offered services.