C-Com, the firm that won the bidding to build Wi-Fi service across 10 Denver suburbs, has municipal commitments: With those in hands, it's out wooing investors for the money needed to build the network. The Colorado Wireless Communities consortium comprises cities representing 137 sq mi; the best know of those towns outside Colorado is Boulder, where the company plans to launch a square mile test network in the spring.
The value of municipal commitments, including utility pole arrangements or venue sitings, hasn't been disclosed.
C-Com's goal is combined voice and Internet to provide the return on investment. Voice was an afterthought for most other municipal Wi-Fi efforts. C-Com plans to charge about $10 per month for basic voice, $13 for enhanced (with Caller ID), $15 for 1.5 Mbps data, and $20 for a data/voice package.