Clark Howard's Tips

Companies fighting against "Wi-Fi"

January 7, 2005

How would you like to access the Internet for free or almost free worldwide? People in Asia, for instance, pay about $5 a month for high-speed Internet access.

About half of the American public now has high-speed access, but we are still way behind many other countries. That's because it's so expensive here, with prices ranging from $40 to $50 a month for high-speed service.

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The way to reduce that cost today is to build high speed networks within your community. You can use what's called "Wi-Fi" or wireless technology, or you can go to restaurants and coffee shops to work on a high speed wireless connection.

The phone companies and cable companies are terrified of this development. They have had a monopoly on the high-speed Internet business and, therefore, can charge you whatever they want. They are so scared of the "wi-fi" trend that they have gone to Congress to fight it.

Apparently it's worked in Pennsylvania, where it is now illegal to use these networks. It's just ridiculous. Why don't these companies simply offer more affordable prices instead of trying to eliminate competition?

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