Economic Realities - what an amazing concept

Ok, so this idea that municipal wifi should be free/cheap and available everywhere is coming under stark economic realities.  I say GOOD, no GREAT, no EXCELLENT.  I'm all for these types of services, but if they don't make money, they should not exist.  If the cities want this feature so badly, then they should pay for it. 

It really amazes me what people will fall for.  In this case, the wifi providers are having problems with the cost of setting up the network.  It may be in the long term that this stuff will work, given that the wifi provider gets a localized monopoly, but it hasn't proven itself out yet.

http://news.com.com/Facing+economic+realities+of+muni+Wi-Fi/2100-7351_3-6181058.html?tag=nefd.lede 

The ultimate question, who needs municipal wifi?  I have wifi in my house and at my office.  What is the value of being connected in my car vs. the cost of providing that connection?  What about when I am sitting in a park? Where is the critical mass of people that need the service?

This issue of "bridging the digital divide"? is another interesting one.  The last time I checked, cable and telephone providers are falling all over themselves to provide low-cost service.  I see all kinds of ads for DSL @ $19.95 per month.  Computer terminals and moderate speed access is  available at libraries and schools. Since this is a US concept, where is that divide in the US?

I see this all the time in the technology world.  People do things with no concept regarding the economic possibilities/realities of that action. Before you take your next action, understand the economics of it.  You will save yourself much heartache.