Shorewood still has the opportunity to be at the leading edge of the Wi Fi revolution, though
our progress on this initiative has lagged.
Cities across the nation, including Milwaukee, are in various stages of either discussing Wi Fi, or moving forward with it, so our window of opportunity to be a leader is closing fast. Given the amount of time, effort, and money being spent to improve the Shorewood business district, it makes perfect sense to add Wi Fi to the progress we are making in the Village.
"So Steve", I have been asked, "how much would it cost Shorewood to make this magic Wi Fi beanstalk grow?" That is the beauty of it. For the village, it is 100% free. For residents, average subscription costs across the country are in the $20 range. Compared to the $30-$60 paid by many subscribers at this time, $20 sounds like a bargain to me.
We can go one of two ways. We can do Wi Fi soon, and gain headlines and notice as an exciting and innovative town, reinventing itself to compete for new residents and businesses. Or we can do Wi Fi later, after everyone else has done it, and gain no such headlines. Either way, Wi Fi will be installed in Shorewood. In 10 or 15 years, Wi Fi will be installed everywhere. Will there be
difficulties? Uncertainties? Of course there will, as with any new technology. But the train is leaving the station. And I believe it is time we get on board.
