Friday, November 07, 2008

Ok I have written before about free global wi-fi and I used the example of a mall with its many stores  and how it can take advantage of it, but now lets talk about  some different uses outside of shopping and malls.  What about a Wi-Fi 911? It just like dialing 911 on your phone but with extra benefits.  You make your call using VOIP  ( just like Vonage or Skype)  but this time they can pinpoint your location exactly  using  a  type or terrestrial GPS ( using triangulation based on what Wi-Fi  locations you are connected to and  satellite GPS)  This can greatly decrease the time it takes for help to get to you  when your not at home.  Missing children; as soon as a child goes missing  an Amber alert will have their face on every connected  device instantly as well as  a description of them and any information about the abductor.  If anyone sees them just clicking on the message  will instantly connect them to a hotline where their location will be recorded and they can tell them what they saw. That will significantly increase the chances the child will be found quickly and  hopefully unharmed. Lets say our cars are connected too and someone steals yours. You call up and reports it missing, the police type it in and your car shows up on a map giving its real time location. Whatever patrol unit is closest will make the stop and you will have your car back. My sons last school was using an automated phone dialing system that would call our home when any school event was coming up. I loved it.  With  everyone connected  a parent can subscribe to a school news feed  and always be up to date on what is happening in their children’s schools.  You could even subscribe to information feeds on different things like late breaking news, weather updates,  a gallery or museums coming displays or even local events.  Free Wi-Fi internet access is I believe critical to our connected future and I believe  the FCC’s decision on whitespaces  will be pivotal in that future. I also believe that a law should be passed requiring anyone with a wi-fi capable device be allowed free internet access.  Now I don’t think it would be right to make it cutting edge high speed but  no less then 500 Kbs.  That will be plenty fast enough for most things and still allow the current internet providers room to offer faster internet for those willing to pay for it.  I know I personally would like having access to a 500 kbs connection for free while I’m out but  have no problems paying for 5Mbs or better connection while home. I believe that will be a win win situation for everyone. People who can’t afford broadband will have access to it. Those that can will probably pay for faster access. Online business will have an even greater pool of people to sell too.  Brick and motors ( actual  physical stores) will have a new avenue to market their wares and new tool to attract customers. Cities will be able to more easily get the word out about coming event s  which can make them more profitable.  Schools can be more connected to parents. Emergency and public services will be more effective and I am sure  many more benefits will pop up because of it.  So come on FCC lets do the right thing for our future and open up those Whitespaces for everyone to use free of charge.