Fellow PC Computing alumnus Rafe Needleman is convinced that big, national wi-fi providers like T-Mobile spell the end for small, local wi-fi service providers. I’m not so sure. People have been predicting the demise of the mom-and-pop ISP for years now. The truth is, however, local ISPs increased in number in every year from 1997 to 2000, showing a slight dip (to about 7,300) in 2001. (Here’s a directory with the relevant stats.) I suspect the reason for the continued strength of the local ISPs in the face of overwhelming competition from AOL is that some people just appreciate having a local phone number they can call, where they know they’ll get a real, live human being who will answer their questions. In other words, it comes down to service. Why should the wireless ISP market be any different?
Rough Drafts
Farewell to tiny WISPs?
Fellow PC Computing alumnus Rafe Needleman is convinced that big, national wi-fi providers like T-Mobile spell the end for small, local wi-fi service providers. I’m not so sure. People have been predicting the demise of the mom-and-pop ISP for years now. The truth is, however, local ISPs increased i
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