The proliferation of the pico-nets …
This is yet another example of how I see high-speed wireless Internet access proliferating. One of the aspects that I think will make this a very difficult business model is that MobileStar is “owning” the infrastructure. As new wireless technologies emerge, they are going to be stuck doing constant upgrades to support the newest technologies … and so I predict their demise, unless they can propose a way of dealing with this!

Network World: Starbucks wireless network a sweet deal for MobileStar. The initiative is a boon to MobileStar Network, the ISP responsible for the wireless LAN connectivity in each Starbucks stores and the backbone network connecting the shops to the Internet. MobileStar expects Starbucks will account for 50% of its network footprint by 2003. [Tomalak’s Realm]