It's not all hotzones, city-wide coverage, and blue skies for municipal networks: Two stories today discuss concerns that cities have with metropolitan-scale Wi-Fi networks.
Richmond, Virg., weighs pros and cons: There are specific concerns, like its hilly topography and the advent of WiMax, and more general issues about whether it's appropriate for the city to build a network at all or contract it out.
Wilkes-Barre, Penn., considers Wi-Fi network in context of Pa. law: Wilkes-Barre is subject to the law signed last year that requires networks to be built out to a certain level by Jan. 1, 2006, for the grandfathering clause to take effect. Otherwise, a city or town must petition the incumbent provider. The article says there are lawsuits "flying in about a dozen states," but I'm not aware of those--there are bills, but I don't know about suits. Also, the article errs somewhat in saying that Philly and Verizon struck a private deal. The law that was passed to prevent non-incumbent-approved municipal networks allows the incumbent to waive their right of refusal. That was done before the bill was signed, but it's consistent with the bill itself.