From: Bob Frankston
[mailto:Bob19-0501@bobf.frankston.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2007 5:23 PM
To: Dave Farber
Subject: Fortunately Minneapolis didn't have a 700Mhz system
Lots of articles like http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/44836-1.html
noting the importance of Wi-Fi in dealing with the bridge collapse in Minneapolis.
What is most telling is how quickly they could ramp up 802.11 to meet the need
unlike the cellular system which was swamped. The 700Mhz system seems more like
the cellular in being limited by its funding model and the specialness of the
gear.
We don’t have to look to 802.11 for an example of why a
common infrastructure works – look at the US National Defense Highway System
(AKA, The Interstates) and the German Autobahn.
802.11 is not perfect but better to invest in improving a
shared large commons than another special puddle.