Motivations, technologies, and sustainability models of wireless municipal networks

In this article we provide an integrated presentation of applications, technologies, and business models for wireless municipal networks together with design considerations. We give an overview on the state of affairs in municipal networks, presenting the driving forces and stakeholders of these projects, the applications and services for some carefully selected cases, and the available wireless technologies and regulatory issues. Then we outline the design methodology to build wireless municipal networks, presenting a pilot municipal network in Hungary, and discuss the relevant sustainability and business models, which are analyzed and illustrated by summaries of case studies.