Introduction to Public WI-FI Use Cases
- Authors
Public Wi-Fi has a large number of use cases. This section seeks to provide guidance and information related to the most prominent types and will provide a general overview of the most frequently cited use cases for implementing Public Wi-Fi.
What it does not seek to do is provide explicit guidance in
terms of implementation. Each city/municipality will have their own strategy and execution plan as there are several additional elements associated with developing and deploying a public solution (many of which are discussed in other areas of this document).
The following use cases and outcomes will vary by city, but nearly all represent possibilities to improve overall city efficiency, citizen engagement, quality of life, economic develop, digital inclusion, and enhance city services and performance. These use cases represent the core reasons and goals for executing a Public Wi-Fi network deployment and are therefore critical to consider in advance. Outlined below are a few of the most frequently cited use cases and their drivers for consideration.
Digital Inclusion
This is often identified as one of the most important reasons for implementing a Public Wi-Fi solution. Digital inclusion - or reducing the digital divide - is also viewed as “Creating a more digitally connected community” and includes:
- Underserved communities/areas
- Economically disadvantaged
- Rural and remote areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure
- Schools, primarily K-12
- Programs within the community
- eHealth services
- Community Centers (youth, senior, cultural, etc.)
Where cities/municipalities have incorporated a strategy for deploying a Public Wi-Fi solution to address this use case, the elements of consideration and planning are significant in terms of:
- Funding - Where are there opportunity for funding vehicles
- Best Practice - What is the best way to deploy and what model should be adopted
- Service level delivery - What service level and performance should be expected
- Security - What is the security model and what level of responsibility does the city/municipality hold and what is the policy
- Governance, accountability, overall policy and cost
- O&M (Operation and Management) - Who is responsible for operating, managing and maintaining the network and services
Under the use case of Digital Inclusion there are several service level offerings that any city/municipality could consider, including:
- Unified School District:
- Ensuring that the schools and libraries have connected access to the internet for the purpose of education, students doing their homework etc.
- Underserved communities and programs:
- Includes issuing devices (PCs, laptops, etc.) as the rollout takes place.
- Includes getting individuals that are connected, but have no data plan.
- Donations from Private/Public partnerships.
- Training and Adoption.
- Improve digital literacy
- Cybersecurity and risk mitigation
There should also be metrics in place to determine the measure of success. Some metrics that could be considered are:
- Cost to deliver services to the schools and communities.
- Improved educational outcomes - Test score improvements.
- Economic mobility - (Growth in jobs or individuals employed due to the connected access).
- Improved citizen experience due to the city delivered services - Improved community involvement and citizen satisfaction.
Funding
Funding vehicles will predominantly be covered under the Finance section of the blueprint document. However, for consideration:
- e-Rate programs have been used by other cities and municipalities as a means of satisfying this use case.
- Private/Public partnerships via donation programs for hardware and services.
- Leveraging existing city Wi-Fi networks and fiber as a means of offsetting cost.
- HUD and or FCC Universal Service Funds may be available to fund deployments in lower income, under-served communities.
Economic Development
High on the list for many municipalities is using Public Wi-Fi to promote and economic development. Building Wi-Fi networks in high-density public indoor and outdoor spaces provides an additional attraction to draw people to these locations. Here are some examples of how Public Wi-Fi can contribute to economic development efforts:
- Downtown areas – Many Public Wi-Fi projects start with downtown cores given their proximity to nearby businesses (e.g., coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.) and their high density of foot traffic. Surrounding businesses can promote the Wi-Fi networks as a benefit for patrons.
- Plazas – Like downtown spaces, outdoor plazas are a prime location for Public Wi-Fi systems
- Tourist Attractions – In many cases, Public Wi-Fi can enhance tourist destinations by providing tourists with an amenity to use while visiting. These efforts can be combined with business groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce, etc. to promote these locations.
- Business Parks – Wi-Fi in business parks can be an attraction for new businesses as the outdoor spaces around the offices can be used by employees for leisure making the location a desirable work site.
Public Safety
Cities could elect to deploy Public Safety services over a Public Wi-Fi network reserving bandwidth and specific frequency and channel allocations such that they are not “publicly accessible” (i.e., only authorized devices can access the network). The services on these secure public safety networks can include, but are not limited to:
- Connected lighting - In several areas of the city there are safety issues related to poor lighting conditions and leveraging the Public Wi-Fi network to connect the lights improves safety in these areas e.g.:
- Parking lots
- Parking garages
- On and off-street parking locations
- Reduced crime and or crime prevention
- Improved citizen satisfaction - Citizens feel less vulnerable to crimes.
- Image sensors - Connecting image sensors to the Public Wi-Fi network for the city provides benefits of public safety by way of “Security”. Image sensors are becoming more and more commodity items that can serve to deter crime, afford the city an opportunity to view crimes and other issues in near real-time as opposed to forensically.
- Likewise, could be used to inform first responders as to where emergency situations are located, and allow a more effective and efficient response.
- Image sensors could also be leveraged to provide insight to other neighborhood crimes such as:
- Loitering
- Graffiti
- Vehicle intrusion
In addition, public safety Wi-Fi systems can be used as alternative communication systems for public safety professionals, such as police and fire fighters. In these cases, devices can connect to these networks and send secured transmissions to City Hall and other locations.
Public Notifications
An emerging use case for Public Wi-Fi infrastructure is public notifications and other helpful services. These are best exemplified by the LinkNYC system, which uses kiosks as both digital way-finding devices and Wi-Fi hotspots, while also providing advertising and revenue opportunities.
- Digital Signage - Providing various city services;
- Wayfinding - Providing citizens city information such as;
- Parking
- Festival occupancy - How crowded is a venue or city location
- Wayfinding - Providing citizens city information such as;
- Other notification types
- Emergency services
- City engaged responses - Twitter feeds and other citywide notifications
- Kiosks
- Interactive digital signage e.g. Sidewalk labs kiosks that provide citywide information
- Public transportation
Enhanced Municipal Services & Emerging Use Cases
Use cases for Wi-Fi extend beyond the common sited cases above. Here are some additional areas where Wi-Fi is being used as a communications system for municipal services.
- Smart Grid
- Demand response and backhaul for other Smart Grid solutions and transport.
- IoT Backhaul
- With modern Internet of Things networks, Wi-Fi is frequently becoming a cost-effective and useful technology for backhaul.
- Traffic monitoring
- Vision zero initiatives - Monitoring and reducing collisions at intersections.
- Improvements to traffic systems, car counting down city corridors to aid in congestion management.
- Tracking - Pedestrian, Bicycle, Vehicle
- Counting for the purpose of crowd detection and management.
- Various location based services e.g. Bike programs and where the bikes are or have been.
- Layered services - Pub/Gov/Others
Key Takeaways
There are many use-cases for Public Wi-Fi. It is important to consider the goals and desired outcomes while still in the planning phase. Here are some key points to consider.
- Always consider the additional applications that can be placed a Wi-Fi network.
- Digital Inclusion is often cited as a reason for Public Wi-Fi; to be successful look to partner with schools and other institutions in your community who will benefit from the system.
- Just because its’s called “Public Wi-Fi,” does not mean that there cannot be "Private" elements that serve city or municipal initiatives (i.e., secured public safety networks, etc.)
- There are many emerging use-cases that can be explored, such as public notifications, way-finding, advertising (i.e., revenue), smart grid, traffic monitoring, and more. Find out what is the most important for your community and start researching there.
- Having a vision, strategy and an execution plan will be critical in the success of your program.
- Make sure that you have a roadmap for future applications and proper maintenance.
Funding
Funding vehicles will predominantly be covered under the Finance section of the blueprint document. However, for consideration:
- e-Rate programs have been used by other cities and municipalities as a means of satisfying this use case.
- Private/Public partnerships via donation programs for hardware and services.
- Leveraging existing city Wi-Fi networks and fiber as a means of offsetting cost.
- HUD and or FCC Universal Service Funds may be available to fund deployments in lower income, under-served communities.
Economic Development
High on the list for many municipalities is using Public Wi-Fi to promote and economic development. Building Wi-Fi networks in high-density public indoor and outdoor spaces provides an additional attraction to draw people to these locations. Here are some examples of how Public Wi-Fi can contribute to economic development efforts:
- Downtown areas – Many Public Wi-Fi projects start with downtown cores given their proximity to nearby businesses (e.g., coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.) and their high density of foot traffic. Surrounding businesses can promote the Wi-Fi networks as a benefit for patrons.
- Plazas – Like downtown spaces, outdoor plazas are a prime location for Public Wi-Fi systems
- Tourist Attractions – In many cases, Public Wi-Fi can enhance tourist destinations by providing tourists with an amenity to use while visiting. These efforts can be combined with business groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce, etc. to promote these locations.
- Business Parks – Wi-Fi in business parks can be an attraction for new businesses as the outdoor spaces around the offices can be used by employees for leisure making the location a desirable work site.
Public Safety
Cities could elect to deploy Public Safety services over a Public Wi-Fi network reserving bandwidth and specific frequency and channel allocations such that they are not “publicly accessible” (i.e., only authorized devices can access the network). The services on these secure public safety networks can include, but are not limited to:
- Connected lighting - In several areas of the city there are safety issues related to poor lighting conditions and leveraging the Public Wi-Fi network to connect the lights improves safety in these areas e.g.:
- Parking lots
- Parking garages
- On and off-street parking locations
- Reduced crime and or crime prevention
- Improved citizen satisfaction - Citizens feel less vulnerable to crimes.
- Image sensors - Connecting image sensors to the Public Wi-Fi network for the city provides benefits of public safety by way of “Security”. Image sensors are becoming more and more commodity items that can serve to deter crime, afford the city an opportunity to view crimes and other issues in near real-time as opposed to forensically.
- Likewise, could be used to inform first responders as to where emergency situations are located, and allow a more effective and efficient response.
- Image sensors could also be leveraged to provide insight to other neighborhood crimes such as:
- Loitering
- Graffiti
- Vehicle intrusion
In addition, public safety Wi-Fi systems can be used as alternative communication systems for public safety professionals, such as police and fire fighters. In these cases, devices can connect to these networks and send secured transmissions to City Hall and other locations.
Public Notifications
An emerging use case for Public Wi-Fi infrastructure is public notifications and other helpful services. These are best exemplified by the LinkNYC system, which uses kiosks as both digital way-finding devices and Wi-Fi hotspots, while also providing advertising and revenue opportunities.
- Digital Signage - Providing various city services;
- Wayfinding - Providing citizens city information such as;
- Parking
- Festival occupancy - How crowded is a venue or city location
- Wayfinding - Providing citizens city information such as;
- Other notification types
- Emergency services
- City engaged responses - Twitter feeds and other citywide notifications
- Kiosks
- Interactive digital signage e.g. Sidewalk labs kiosks that provide citywide information
- Public transportation
Enhanced Municipal Services & Emerging Use Cases
Use cases for Wi-Fi extend beyond the common sited cases above. Here are some additional areas where Wi-Fi is being used as a communications system for municipal services.
- Smart Grid
- Demand response and backhaul for other Smart Grid solutions and transport.
- IoT Backhaul
- With modern Internet of Things networks, Wi-Fi is frequently becoming a cost-effective and useful technology for backhaul.
- Traffic monitoring
- Vision zero initiatives - Monitoring and reducing collisions at intersections.
- Improvements to traffic systems, car counting down city corridors to aid in congestion management.
- Tracking - Pedestrian, Bicycle, Vehicle
- Counting for the purpose of crowd detection and management.
- Various location based services e.g. Bike programs and where the bikes are or have been.
- Layered services - Pub/Gov/Others
Key Takeaways
There are many use-cases for Public Wi-Fi. It is important to consider the goals and desired outcomes while still in the planning phase. Here are some key points to consider.
- Always consider the additional applications that can be placed a Wi-Fi network.
- Digital Inclusion is often cited as a reason for Public Wi-Fi; to be successful look to partner with schools and other institutions in your community who will benefit from the system.
- Just because its’s called “Public Wi-Fi,” does not mean that there cannot be "Private" elements that serve city or municipal initiatives (i.e., secured public safety networks, etc.)
- There are many emerging use-cases that can be explored, such as public notifications, wayfinding, advertising (i.e., revenue), smart grid, traffic monitoring, and more. Find out what is the most important for your community and start researching there.
- Having a vision, strategy and an execution plan will be critical in the success of your program.
- Make sure that you have a roadmap for future applications and proper maintenance.