Title: Comparative feasibility analysis of Wi-Fi in metropolitan and small municipalities: a system dynamics approach

Authors: Sang M. Lee, Gang-hoon Kim, Jongheon Kim

Addresses: CBA 209, Department of Management, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588–0491, USA. ' Oldfather Hall 511, Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588–0419, USA. ' School of Business, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT 06604, USA

Abstract: Wireless broadband service has grown rapidly, with many local governments considering alternatives for providing such a service to their communities in order to make them more attractive to new businesses and tourists. The alternatives range from an unrestricted free market (with mixed service quality and coverage) to city- or community-sponsored service, which provides better control. The evaluation of such proposals is problematic due to the newness of the concept, which limits traditional cost-benefit analysis because of insufficient data. The system dynamics methodology is proposed for the analysis of Wi-Fi proposals in cities or local governments. The method is demonstrated with a comparison of the expected Wi-Fi performance for small and metropolitan locations, and an evaluation of safety (expected impact on crime), tourism (expected impact on visitors) and other economic benefits.

Keywords: wireless broadband; municipalities; Wi-Fi performance; mobile communications; system dynamics modelling; safety; security; tourism; economic benefits.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2009.023691

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2009 Vol.7 No.4, pp.395 - 414

Published online: 08 Mar 2009 *

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