Podcast on Community Wireless

On IT Conversations, Jon Udell interviews Michael Lenczner, co-founder of Île Sans Fil, Montreal’s community wireless network.

With over 150 access points and nearly 60,000 users, the project is a huge success, all the more so given that municipal wi-fi projects in other cities have failed to materialize. And yet, Mike questions the value of what’s been accomplished. The project’s goal was not merely to light up hotspots in downtown Montreal, but to enhance the “sociality” of the city and elicit more and better civic engagement. He doubts these goals have been achieved, and asks himself hard questions about how technology can be deployed to these ends.When I met Mike recently in Montreal, I said: “It amazes that you’re asking yourself these questions. He replied: “It amazes me that others don’t.”

Listen or download at http://itc.conversationsnetwork.org/shows/detail3571.html