Turn out the lights, folks, the party’s over. Well actually, it’s been over for a while. That’s why the City of Portland, Ore. has seized 600 antennae and related equipment that was once to make up the city’s municipal wireless network, built out by MetroFi Inc..
Portland’s network went on the skids last year after it became apparent the advertising-based business model MetroFi tried to use wasn’t viable. MetroFi stopped the build and Portland claimed breach of contract and abandonment, the latter being the legal basis for the seizure.
With the city now claiming ownership, MetroFi can no longer expect to sell any of the assets — instead, the City will do just that to recoup its investment.
Alas, muni Wi-Fi: You showed such promise.
