YOUR Interview with the CIO of Philadelphia - Dianah Neff

Dear Ms. Neff,

First, thanks so much for engaging the Philly blog community--it's wonderful to have this chance to ask questions of you.

I'm wondering about some of the potentially thorny legal ramifications of city-provided bandwidth. For instance, will the city monitor the activity of wireless users? What happens if citizens use the city's wireless bandwidth to illegally download music or movies? How about pornography?

How will the city react if, say, the RIAA serves the city with lawsuits, demanding to know the identities of certain subscribers? Will the city have the resources, or even the desire, to fight such challenges?

How will the city react if the Police Department wants to know about the online activities of subscribers to the wireless service?

Since we live in a time of decreasing privacy, and since such issues force service providers to define how far they are willing to go to protect the privacy of their users, I'm interested in knowing whether the city has thought about such things.

Thanks again for your willingness to answer our questions.

best,

Matt

Ms. Neff,

Thank you for taking questions from the Philly Future community.

I am impressed by the Wi-Fi Philly initiative. It sets the standard for community computer access. Which brings me to my question(s): What plans does the city have for providing low cost hardware access to Philadelphians? Will the people who will be getting free Wi-Fi be able to take advantage of the technology, and how? Is there something the private sector can/should be doing now to help with the hardware access aspect?

Thank you.

Ms. Neff,

From the FAQ, I understand that there will be common areas with free wireless access. Will there be boundaries around those areas that will prevent residents who work or live adjacent to these areas from using this free access as their primary Internet access? If so, how will that work?

Thanks very much for taking your time to contribute to Philly Future.

Regards,

Sarah

I understand that one of the stated goals of the new Wireless initiative is to reduce the "digital divide".

When I think of how lower-income citizens might react to the initiative, though, the last thing that comes to mind is that it would give them proportionately greater benefit than a higher-income citizen (thus reducing the divide). Plans that put more computers into libraries, I would understand better. But people without computers cannot benefit from wireless.

Selfishly, I see myself as an enormous beneficiary - I have a fabulous laptop and live close to Ritttenhouse Square where I understand free access will be offered.

How does the city see this network work as an agent to reduce the divide?

And thank you for taking questions in this forum!

Persnickety,

Thank you for your question on digital divide. One of the stated goals of Wireless Philadelphia is to reduce the digital divide. We plan to do this by providing 10,000 free computers with 10 hours of training through neigborhood non-profits, Community Technology Centers and Philadelphia School Districts to needy families or individuals. We are currently working in six low-income neighborhood to develop the process and to learn how to best work with neighborhoods to identify families and individuals.

Through one non-profit in west philly, we have seen first hand how having a computer and training can change lives. We have also seen how small, disadvantaged businesses can prosper having an effective website and knowing how to get it recognized. I think one the most impressive stories I can relate was a discussion with a mother who knew it was important that her child have access to a computer to succeed in school, but could bundle her three children up after dinner to take them to the library because she lived in a dangerous neighborhood and didn't like to go out after dark. She went through training bought a used computer for $120 from a non-profit and now pays $5 a month for access through that same non-profit. She has created a crafts webpage; is helping bring in additional income; and her children are all learning to use the computer.

The City has set up Wireless Philadelphia (WP)as a 501c3 non-profit to run the wi-fi philly initiative. WP will be looking to generate free cash flow from the operations of the wholesale network or through foundation grants to buy 10,000 computers/laptops with wireless cards to give to low income families or individuals at no cost. To obtain a computer, the individual must complete a 10 hour training program. WP will also be requiring internet service providers who contract to provide access to the network to end users that they have a very low-income rate for families/individuals that qualify for other Federal poverty programs. WP estimates that the standard monthly household access will be below $20, with very, low-income household access under $12.

WP also welcomes computer donations in working order of Pentium III or better computers from private sector companies. WP is working with local computer refurbishers to accept the computers, clean them, and load operating system and desktop software. WP will then work with local non-profits and school district to distribute the computers.

Thanks Matt for the question. First, let me clear up a confusing issue that many people have, Wireless Philadelphia (WP) will not be run by the City of Philadelphia. Mayor Street incorporated Wireless Philadelphia as a separate 501c3 Non-profit Corporation on March 30, 2005. The WP board of directors is in the process of being confirmed. I am one of nine board members and the only City representative on the board. I will remain running the day-to-day activities of getting WP started under the direction of the Board until the Board hires a CEO and staff, which is anticipated by the end of summer.

The WP Board will set the security and privacy policies for users. The City will not monitor citizens use of the bandwidth nor have access to network statistics. WP will comply with all laws reguarding illegal activities.

Hi Dianah -- Thanks so much for addressing our questions here at Philly Future.

In addressing how Wireless Philadelphia will meet the unique needs of each community (in the WP FAQ's), there is mention that "various community/neighborhood groups will have the opportunity to customize its use for their community by delivering value added services, local Internet content, training programs, etc."

Does this mean there will be no effect at all by WP on the content options, such as a WP-sponsored (or ISP/WP co-sponsored) homepage/portal? And what sort of community/neighborhood groups would most likely have the aforementioned opportunity?

Thanks Sara for the question on boundaries. Yes, there will be certain parks and public spaces throughout the City where access to the wireless network will be free. While we have no plans to create artificial barriers to prevent users who live or work in adjacent areas from being able to access the free zones, there are certain natural and man-made barriers (trees, buildings, etc.) that will affect users' ability to access the free zones the further away from the zone they are. The placement and broadcasting strength in the zone will also determine users ability outside the area to gain access.

How will the use of the system be stuctured for an individual who would like to take advantage of WP both in the home and on the streets? Specifically, will one subscription fee cover usage everywhere in the city as well as support a wireless home network?

Also, what plans does WP have to integrate and support future technologies such as WiMax and UWB? Unfortunately 1 Mbps connections will be woefully outdated in a few years.

Hi Dianah,

Are there any plans in the works to upgrade computers in Philadelphia's public libraries so that patrons will be able to take advantage of WiFi access?

best,

Matt

Ms. Neff,
Thank you for taking questions from us.

How have local businesses who charge a fee for WiFi access reacted to this project? I know that there are tons of cafes, coffee shops and restaurants that offer free wireless, but then there are the Starbuckses, hotels and cafes/restaurants who do charge for access. Will the city try to incorporate these nodes into the network? Could they potentially see some of the monies? What are their options?

Thank you,
Albert Yee

Ms Neff:

I will soon be getting rid of my Pentium III (just barely a Pentium III, but still one), and would be happy to give it to a worthy cause, as I am sure would others. Can individuals give them, too, or does it not make sense from a scale perspective?

I think that 10,000 computers into homes is a wonderful idea. Can you give us a timeframe for how quickly you see that happening? Is there any chance of making the effort any bigger? IE, trying to push foundations, Microsoft, Google, et al, to each pony up certain matching funds to, say, get an additional 10,000 or more computers out there to Philly residents? What about an addtional program for working class people, which may not cost as much, that lets them have a similar computer, but pay a small portion of it? Some sort of matching funds could be used with EITC refunds or something...

Thanks again,

Dan

Hi Dianah,

A few questions about the WiFi project, directed less towards the general initiative than your individual experience with it.

1. What has been the most challenging part of the project for you so far?

2. What do see you as the biggest challenge for the project in the next few years? In the next ten years?

3. What has been the best part of working on this project for you? What have you learned? What has been most surprising? Is there anything you wish had been done differently?

4. What can other cities learn from this project?

Thanks again for answering our questions.

best,

Matt

I'm curious to know if antennae will be mounted on the tops of skyscrapers such as the Liberty Towers; is there any expectation that access will be provided above the range of street-level hardware?

Will businesses and organizations have the option to opt-out of this program? That is, if a residential building wishes to provide residents at a premium cost, will they have the ability to lobby for removal/restriction of antennae that can serve their tenants?

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
Whatever is said in Latin sounds profound.

Ms. Neff,

I understand that the City is in the process of creating a WP Board of Directors that will run the network (as you mentioned in response to another question). However, it seems that the City will be directly involved. For example: the Mayor had a hand in picking some of the board members; you, the City's CIO, will be on the Board. So do you think that to say the Wireless Philadelphia non profit is not a creature of the City is a little misleading? Can it truly be independent given those circumstances? And if not, will issues such as customer service and system upgrades become an issue? I mean anyone who has had to deal with PGW knows that the City can be a little slow when responding to customer problems.

Ms. Neff - thanks for the opportunity to ask you a question. My general question - which might require a complicated answer - is why isn't the WiFi initiative more strategic? That is, while wireless internet access on a broad scale is a great idea, why isn't this being piloted in strategic locations, perhaps around universities (like Temple Town in North Philadelphia, University City around Drexel and UPENN)? Would the City wanted to test this out, logistically and economically, before they roll it out all over the City?

Actually we have piloted the concept in several areas. Love Park and Ben Franklin Parkway was been active for 9 months. We had over 1200 people register to use the free wireless access in the first two months. As of April 2005 over 2600 unique visitors have made use of the free access. The historic square mile downtown is now active as well. It includes Franklin and Washington Squares.

We also have 6 neighborhood pilots. Each one-square mile pilot is in a low income or disadvantaged area. We work with one or more nonprofits in the area plus the local business district. The School District also identifies a school and 30 households that we provide computers and training for. The School District then works with the household to use the school applications that have been developed, and wireless philadelphia staff works with the neighborhood nonprofits.

From a technical prespective, each pilot is funded by a different wireless company. This allows us to see how well/quickly the technology can be deployed, what the support issues are and how well the network performs. The companies have all agreed to support the area for one year while the citywide network is being built.

As a part of the citywide buildout, we will select a 10 - 15 square mile area to test the scalability and performance of the selected technology before building out the rest of the City.

Yes, you are correct in pointing out that the Mayor does appoint the first four board members and one City representative, the CIO. This group will then select four additional board members. All board positions are staggered year appointments such that the board could fully rotate all members within four years. It will be the Board charter and bylaws that will direct its performance.

As the organization will be funded through non-city dollars and does not require City approval of its actions, I do believe it can and will be independent. The business plan calls for a working capital reserve to be created to fund system upgrades. It does not rely on City capital dollars to do upgrades. Customer service will be delivered through Internet service providers like EarthLink, AOL and MSN, not Wireless Philadelphia or the City.

No, it is not anticipated at this time that antennae will be mounted on skyscrapers. Depending on the final technology solution selected, we anticipate that the equipment will be mounted on light poles and some roof tops for the backhaul connections. The main focus is on residential, institutional and small to mid-size businesses. We will have point to multi-point capability if a business or high-rise complex wished to contract to connect T-1 access with Wireless Philadelphia.

Wireless Philadelphia is a high-speed, broadband option to be selected by residents and businesses. It is not mandatory. Residents or building complexes can choose to get high speed broadband connectivity from any operator in their area. Antennae placement will have to be negotiated with any building owner if Wireless Philadelphia needs mounting rights outside of light pole. Even if an antenna were mounted on your complex, you would not be able to access the network unless you decided to signed a subscriber agreement.

Thanks Matt. Here are my responses to your questions:

1. The most challenging part so far has been overcoming the political challenge mounted by the telecommunications industry.

2. The next few years will have a multitude of challenges that are very exciting like getting the project launched on time; being sure the social programs get addressed while setting up a new venture; and marketing the opportunities to the neighborhoods. In the next ten years, I believe the biggest challenge will be keeping the network up-to-date technologically.

3. The best part for me has been working with people in the executive committee, non-profits and university students that all helped provide information for the business plan. If anyone ever doubted the importance of this project, they just need to meet the people who's lives are being possitively impacted already. We have wonderful nonprofits committed to making Philadelphia a better place to live, work and play, and getting to know them has been my pleasure.

Probably the most surprising was getting 3,000 people to call, write or email the Governor's office when we were trying to defeat House Bill 30 which could have stopped the project before we had even completed the business plan. It was then that I knew that people got what this was all about and I knew we could pull this off and be successful.

4. Yes, other cities can learn from wireless philadelphia project as long as they understand their own community/government goals and needs. We've created what I believe is a unique business model that builds on the strength of nonprofit commitment to the community; on the business expertice of private sector to build and support the network without having to create another governmental agency; and uses the cooperative wholesale model to promote competition and keep prices low. This model can be replicated and modified to meet the needs of other cities and counties.

Dan, thanks for offering to donate your older computer. At this time we do not have a recylcing program set up but it is one of our goals. We plan to work with existing computer recylcing groups already set up in neighborhoods to contract with them to clean, refurbish and image donated computers. Most of the groups that I have met use local teens and young adults from the neighborhood as staff. They train them, provide marketable skills and hire some of them to work in their operations. It is one of wireless philadelphia's goals to create local jobs when possible and we believe this is one area that we can help promote.

Wireless Philadelphia is already placing free computers in our pilot areas through donations from companies like IBM and Dell. I expect by September/October WP (wireless philadelphia) will have recycling programs set up and ready to start placing more computer in homes. You are right about the 10,000 computers hopefully only being a start. I have been talking with local companies that turn their equipment over every 2 to 3 years about donating them, and the initial response has been good.

Because WP is a nonprofit, it can solicit grants and donations. Once staff has been hired, one of the people will be a grant writer to begin that process. If we are successful, my goal would be to expand the program to working class people also. I have been in discussion with equipment manufacturers about developing a wieless sub $400 laptop that would be available for purchase. The most promising program so far has been quality refurbing programs.

If you've got some other ideas or suggestions, feel free to send them to info@wirelessphiladelphia.org.

Wireless Philadelphia (WP) has been talking to the companies that supply the service to airports, hotels, cafes, etc. about roaming agreements that would permit their clients to have access to WP network. For example, if a hotel charges or not for wireless access in the rooms, they could offer for a small uplift fee to their guests to have access to wireless everywhere in the city - indoors and outdoors. A portion of the fee would go to the hotel and part to WP. WP is open to discussing with businesses about being a part of the network and hopefully lowing their telecommunications costs in doing so.

Yes, WP will be working with the Libraries to either get wireless cards for the computers or to reduce the rate they pay for T1 connections to the Internet. WP will have point to multipoint capability that will allow buildings to be connected to Internet and use their existing indoor ethernet connections. Also patrons could bring their own laptops with a wireless card to the library and be able to access the Internet while in the library if the library chose to bring the wireless signal indoors.

An individual will select an internet service provider that has an agreement with WP. There will be different service offerings depending on the type of set up the user has. Assume however, you have a single computer and want indoor and outdoor access. You would subscribe for a basic residential service that would give you access in your home and outdoor access anywhere in the City for one low fee.

WP will be selecting the final technology to be used in deploying the citywide network this summer. However, the business plan uses a hybrid model of WiFi (802.11 b/g) and pre-WiMax. The business plan also provides for a working capital reserve to be able to pay for network upgrades as the technology advances. The 1 Mbp is a minimum threshold and we anticipate keeping the network updated to allow greater throughput as required in the future.

The WP Board will make the final decision on homepage/portal options. However there have been discussion about an ISP/WP co-sponsored portal that would support neighborhood content/homepages. We have had good success in three different pilot areas. One in west philly with PEC using the One Economy portal that was customized for Philadelphia by the United Way then further customized by PEC for their clients. We are also working in Norris Square area with 9th Wave to create a bi-lingual portable which uses local students, residents and businesses as reporters of local interest. The third pilot is along the Ben Franklin Parkway working with Persavive Systems' "The Cloud" portal. The institutions and businesses along the parkway promote their organization's activites and system allows individual subscribers/vistiors to select which organization they want to receive information and updates about.

This fall, the WP Board will be devoping the policies and guidelines on how to make the portal/homepage open to community/neighborhood groups. They will hold community meetings to gain input from interested groups.