“Chicago will be one of the most connected cities in the world,” said Emanuel. “The establishment of a world-class broadband network in Chicago will create thousands of jobs and dramatically improve educational opportunities, economic development, health care services, and general quality of life throughout the city.”
While Google has the funds to build such an infrastructure like the one in Kansas, I’m thinking Chicago doesn’t.  It sounds like a great idea but nothing is ever really free and since the actual cost has yet to be disclosed, nobody knows just how much they will inadvertently be taxed for the “gigbit speeds” that like most home networks, could become bogged down with multiple devices.  How will this network be secured? I know  our public Wi-Fi is unsecured and we have to agree to the terms and conditions set by the city pertaining to certain sites and granting them access to monitor activity,  although I haven’t heard of them doing so. And what about that one neighbor guy hogging all the bandwidth on your block? Yes, that situation sounds far-fetched but you catch my meaning.
All I’m saying is maybe a few more questions should be asked before a city invests undisclosed amounts of millions of dollars in something that could potentially leave the entire city of Chicago in a lurch due to natural disaster or  if something as small a flash script  makes its way past a firewall. On a brighter note, by the time I finish school they should be just about ready  to offer top dollar for IT personnel.
Source: Chicago Tribune
