PR releases

Manchester Metronet CEO challenges wireless cities initiatives in presentation to Wireless Cities Conference - London.

Elliott Mueller, CEO of Manchester Metronet challenged Cities around the world to reconsider their strategies for urban wireless networks in light of the experience of his own Company based in Manchester, UK.

Mueller questioned whether Local Authorities should be leading the roll out of Digital City Initiatives. When pressed, Elliott said, "National Governments across the world have divested responsibility for telecommunications along with other utilities such as gas and electricity supply. Local Authorities must question whether or not they should be reversing this trend, and at least explore other means of achieving regional goals more efficiently".

Mueller contested that end users are loathed to pay for WiFi services, and he questioned how many wireless City initiatives currently being deployed would be financially sustainable. Commenting after the presentation, he said, "Local Authorities might be successful in securing support from the private sector in building out infrastructure, but unless appropriate revenues are forthcoming the network will close. I am not convinced that a sufficient market exists."

In his presentation, Mr Mueller called for WiFi services to be delivered free of charge. Given the saturation of cable networks in urban areas he claimed that it was unlikely that mass adoption of paid for WiFi will ever happen.

Mr Mueller highlighted the technical and commercial success of Manchester Metronet, which has developed a secure broadband IP wireless network (covering the Greater Manchester area) supported by a powerful fibre-optic backbone network that accommodates the needs of Business to Business Customers.

Two lines of business – wireless alternatives to leased lines & live CCTV monitoring (for local Councils and Police) – have brought the Company to profitability.

"With a profitable and sustainable business model," continued Mueller, "an urban network operator such as Manchester Metronet is well positioned to provide WiFi free of charge."

According to Mr Mueller, ad hoc WiFi users consume relatively trivial amounts of bandwidth, which can be easily accommodated on a backbone infrastructure that services a vibrant B2B business model.

Mueller urged Local Authorities to engage with Manchester Metronet to explore how its success might be replicated elsewhere.

Notes

Manchester Metronet subsequently redesigned and added equipment and facilities to make the network even more resilient and capable of supporting additional IP (Internet Protocol) related services throughout an area principally demarcated by the M60.

Working in partnership with TeleCity, Manchester Metronet provides a ubiquitous gateway to other networks, ISPs and the Internet.