In an article on recent growth and current downfall of EarthLink the New York Times puts a price tag on the cost of development of municipal WiFi.
The idea behind the networks is to provide a wireless alternative to broadband for city residents and give tourists and business travelers a place to log on for the day. The projects are expensive: $85,000 a square mile, or $10 million to $15 million to cover all of Philadelphia, for example.
