| The wireless Internet revolution has nearly come | | | | Beta testing alone should be confined and |
| full-circle. Wireless technology is quickly | | | | concentrated to a small, finite space such as a |
| approaching the point where wires and cables will | | | | rural proving ground that can be quickly set up |
| be completely superfluous for the delivery of | | | | and taken down. |
| data, the streaming of music and videos, and all | | | | Security |
| manner of other services provided over the | | | | One of the biggest concerns with wireless service |
| Internet. Though there is a great bounty of | | | | is the security issues involved. Whereas cable and |
| potential offered by the promise of a fully | | | | DSL provide a measure of security through direct |
| integrated wireless Internet system, there are | | | | transmission of data, wireless Internet broadcasts |
| several notable obstacles and drawbacks to the | | | | its signal for the consumption of all. Computers will |
| implementation of such a system. | | | | download data off of this wireless signal, and |
| Costs | | | | upload data onto it. Any thief or hacker can easily |
| The development of a fully integrated broadband | | | | intercept this signal in transmission and have full |
| wireless system will take years to construct and | | | | access to your data. Also, hackers can use the |
| implement, at a considerably high cost. Costs | | | | constant signal to hack into your system and |
| associated with wireless Internet include research | | | | steal data. While this is also a problem with current |
| and development, manufacture of parts and | | | | wired Internet service providers, a wireless |
| accessories, constructing the transmission | | | | system makes it so much easier for criminals to |
| systems in outlying rural areas and gathering a | | | | act. |
| staff to administer, beta test and secure such a | | | | Interference |
| system. As opposed to Internet service provided | | | | Another concern with wireless Internet is that |
| through cable and DSL, wireless Internet faces a | | | | simple electronic devices can interfere with its |
| huge obstacle in delivering service in inclement | | | | operation. Imagine how a cell phone affects other |
| weather or in unstable atmospheric conditions. | | | | electronic devices nearby, especially computer |
| Technology | | | | speakers. It is the same principle with wireless |
| The technology itself, though technically available | | | | Internet service. The signal is at significant risk of |
| on a small scale, needs significant development | | | | interfering with other equipment near your |
| and testing to scale up the system for a medium | | | | computer, and vice versa. |
| to large city to put in place. The city of | | | | Health Concerns |
| Minneapolis recently found itself ensnared in a | | | | There are also significant health concerns with |
| massive boondoggle. A plan to offer free wireless | | | | wireless Internet service. Much like the uncertainty |
| Internet service throughout the city floundered in | | | | of whether cell phones can cause certain types of |
| the planning stages after years of work and | | | | cancer with repeated use, so to are there |
| millions of dollars spent. The city of Minneapolis has | | | | concerns with wireless Internet being broadcast |
| nothing to show for their efforts, because the | | | | 24 hours a day throughout cities all over the |
| technology required to make such a system work | | | | world. |
| cannot be slapped together on such a large scale. | | | | |