If open Wi-Fi networks can serve anyone within 300 feet of an access node, how many "hot spots" must there be to serve developed areas ubiquitously?  The answer: millions upon millions.

Some cities are providing zones of hot spots as either economic development tools or amenities.  And closed Wi-Fi networks are gaining even greater ground, drawing users to cafes, restaurants or bars.  But entrepreneurs are still trying to figure out how to make money from Wi-Fi.  For example, who's going to pay a subscription price to access Wi-Fi at Starbucks?  Unless, of course, you already have a T-Mobile subscription.

And that's the clue: Wi-Fi and personal wireless service facilities are going to link up, no doubt about it.  Phones and other handhelds are already being marketed with Cellular bands, PCS bands and Wi-Fi bands.  Soon, you can connect to one and carry over to another, once 3G becomes almost as fast as Wi-Fi (which is hardly the case today).

Here's what's to remember:

•  Cellular and PCS are on protected frequencies, Wi-Fi is not.

•  Cellular and PCS can hand off from one cell site to another.  So far, Wi-Fi cannot, although the industry is working on it.

• Wi-Fi is rapidly moving from a fast standard limited to a 300-foot distance to Wi-Max, a very fast standard covering miles of service area.  But, still, no hand off.

Someday personal wireless services and Wi-Fi will be hybridized, just like cars that run on gas and electricity.  Now, dear reader, look closely at the next utility pole down the road (arrow) and you will see what Kreines & Kreines, Inc. is telling their local government clients: plan for utility mounts today and leave plenty of room for the Wi-Fi connection and other services that will follow.  Who should own that connection and who should collect the charge?

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Kreines & Kreines, Inc.
58 Paseo Mirasol, Tiburon, CA 94920
Phone: (415) 435-9214
Fax: (415) 435-1522
e-mail: mail@planwireless.com