There has been increasing interest in municipal networks in recent years, with municipalities both at home and abroad starting to implement such networks. However, municipalities have a number of considerations to bear in mind, beyond simple technology and policy decisions.

According to research firm Gartner*, municipalities should “take care on political decisions, identify all applications, make a technology choice and maintain realistic expectations when building a business plan for municipal wireless networks”.

The company also says that municipal networks using WiFi technology can provide much needed mobility to local government applications, which, in turn, can increase productivity and save money.