Mountain View To Partially Replace Google Wi-Fi 69
itwbennett writes "Google launched the citywide Wi-Fi network with much fanfare in 2006 as a way for Mountain View residents and businesses to connect to the Internet at no cost. It covers most of the Silicon Valley city and worked well until last year, as Slashdot readers may recall, when connectivity got rapidly worse. As a result, Mountain View is installing new Wi-Fi hotspots in parts of the city to supplement the poorly performing network operated by Google. Both the city and Google have blamed the problems on the design of the network. Google, which is involved in several projects to provide Internet access in various parts of the world, said in a statement that it is 'actively in discussions with the Mountain View city staff to review several options for the future of the network.'"
Re:ADD -- Billionaire Edition (Score:5, Insightful)
Well, doesn't the world just owe you?
Did you read the summary? They launched this network - presumably at the cost of significant time and money - seven years ago. It worked well for over five years. Given the lead time to design, implement and get approval for this network, it may well have been designed around 2004.
I very much doubt it has been neglected if it operated well for so long. It looks like demand is now beyond the capacity of the original network and that Google is addressing this.
How on earth does this make Google a burden? And why, precisely, should they stop caring about people dying in poorer parts of the world, so you can get a better free service?