International Muni-Wireless Trend Is Toward Private Ownership

Worldwide deployments of municipal wireless networks for public Internet access will continue at a rapid pace over the next few years, with the US leading the way. The total worldwide market will reach 248 deployments by the end of 2006, and will grow to over 1,500 by the end of 2010, according to In-Stat.

"Most networks are not entirely owned and operated by local governments," says Daryl Schoolar, an analyst with the high-tech market research firm. "The trend has the local government facilitating deployment, but having a private sector provider owning and operating the network."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
* The US is, and will remain, the largest market for muni-wireless networks for public access.
* While mesh technology plays a key role in muni-wireless, it isn't the only wireless technology deployed.
* To be successful, municipalities and service providers need to first concentrate on their business model, not the network technology.

This latest In-Stat research, outlined in the report Public Muni-Wireless: The Broadband Alternative Takes Hold, covers the worldwide municipal wireless broadband access network market. It contains forecasts for muni-wireless broadband deployments and capital expenditures on these systems through 2010. It also includes analysis of business models, market drivers and challenges.