Cable Operators Try to Mesh Voice and Wi-Fi Services

A new technology called mesh networking could be used by cities and cable operators to build wireless networks with better coverage and also at lower costs.

Obviously, what cities are most interested in is the low cost of building such a network and it will also be appealing to them as it offers wide Wi-Fi coverage. Since other factors related to building mesh networking are also appealing, this could really prove to be the solution for which cable operators have been waiting for so long, a solution that will allow cable companies to enter the mobile phone service business.

Mesh networking uses outdoor radio antennas and Wi-Fi wireless technology to connect devices to the Internet. The name was chosen because each Wi-Fi radio can "talk" to the other radios in the network, meshing together to find the best route for transmissions.

In the U.S, this solution could be integrated in cities such as Philadelphia, where a $10 million project using mesh is about to start and provide free or, more likely, low-cost wireless Web service. Similar projects are to be announced and triggered by a number of smaller cities.