"The whole world would cite Geneva as an example"
A Wireless Future: WiFi pilot projects have been underway in the city of Geneva since the summer, but resistance is mounting.
advertising expert Charly Schwarz for a relatively modest cost.
He estimates the necessary investment at around one and a half million
Franken. "But then the whole world would cite Geneva as an example."
However, in complete contrast to the principle of "less state", the public
hand to finance this project. The city government has therefore long
not so enthusiastic about the idea. Christian Ferrazino, member of the
Alliance de Gauche and the city's left-wing executive, says: "Geneva has
other priorities than setting up free Internet access."
After all, the city was prepared to launch a pilot project that has been
the summer in the Parc des Bastions, the large city park near the
University, is underway. By October, Ferrazino wants to evaluate how often
the hotspots are used and the costs involved.
If the trial is successful, the free WiFi network will be extended to
other areas - initially probably the Geneva quays.
Installing the antennas - data transmission from the laptop
is carried out by radio - but is not without controversy. "The
Radiation exposure is lower than with a cell phone antenna, but
It is an additional burden," warns Ferrazino. Also
the Green Party is calling for a risk assessment study before the
Decisions are made.
Trials with Wimax technology
"We are in the tradition of Smart Geneva," advertises Schwarz
further for his idea. Smart Geneva was the project of the then
Guy-Olivier Segond, who in the nineties was responsible for all the
households with fiber optic cables in order to provide access to the
new communication technologies. "The city
Philadelphia in the USA has installed public WiFi antennas in the
disadvantaged neighborhoods to close the digital divide.
prevent," Schwarz knows - he talks about the rift that is opening up
between those who have access to the new technologies and those who do not,
who do not have access. Geneva could even develop a nationwide
installation: "Geneva is small - that's its size!" But
Ferrazino waves it off: "The digital divide threatens between the north and the south.
South, certainly not in the city of Geneva!" He also doesn't believe that the
wireless Internet access will experience the same boom as wireless
Telephone. There are already technical limits. Unlike with a cell phone
you can't just switch from one antenna to another. "I am
public service in this area as well, but not if
the service is technically obsolete after a very short time."
In fact, pilot projects are already underway for the so-called
Wimax technology (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).
Wimax is a kind of super WiFi with a range of 50 kilometers.
However, this requires a national license issued by Bakom for
The tenders will run until the end of the year. A total of three
licenses are awarded - which means that only the large
operators will come into play. (hb)
