EDITORIAL: It's in the air
Staff Editorial
Michigan Daily (U. Michigan)
08/07/2006

(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Currently, especially among the student population in Ann Arbor, Mich., Comcast enjoys a near monopoly in providing Internet access. By creating a county-wide wireless Internet service, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will allow for more competition at higher connection speeds between providers like Comcast. Additionally, free wireless Internet service would be an excellent tool for those who are unable to receive private Internet service or those who cannot afford it.

The plan will be able to accommodate local businesses as well. While setting up an Internet connection in a residence may not be very expensive, businesses and other organizations that require large networks to connect dozens of machines find Internet services costly — costly enough to locate in another county which provides free or subsidized access. For Washtenaw County to remain competitive, it must alleviate at least some of the burden.

With Republicans in the state legislature and elsewhere creating a barrage of confusion in their clamoring for a repeal of the Single Business Tax in order to spur job growth, free wireless Internet access is part of a simpler answer. Companies like Google — which has just decided to open up shop in Ann Arbor — see the high-tech advancements of the city and county as contributing to a better living environment. The more advancements, the more accommodated current businesses will feel and the more tempted others will be to move their operations — and jobs — to the region.

Copyright ©2006 Michigan Daily via UWire

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