Microsoft collaborating with MetroFi to bring Wi-Fi network to Portland

Software giant Microsoft has said that they would be sponsoring the municipal Wi-Fi network in Portland being deployed by MetroFi. The company would also be bringing their MSN content and services to the people using this network.

As per available information, this network would cover two miles of the city by next month and after that, MetroFi would have 18 months to cover 95 percent of the city with the free Wi-Fi network.

This latest development now marks Microsoft’s entry into this growing trend of providing free wireless internet connectivity to cities in the United States. Google already is involved in similar projects in Mountain View and San Francisco.

Charles Golvin, a principal analyst with Forrester spoke on this new trend: “Search and monetizing their advertising network is what their biggest focus has been in what has been known as MSN and now the Live market. They’re trying to compete with Google on the same front.”

Microsoft itself added in a statement: “Microsoft’s role in municipal Wi-Fi is that they signed a deal to create a local portal. They’re always looking for interesting opportunities and MetroFi reached out to Microsoft at the same time that Microsoft reached out to MetroFi. They’re not creating the network a la Google/EarthLink. They’re an anchor content advertising site on MetroFi’s Portland network.”

Chuck Haas, chief executive officer and co-founder of MetroFi had this to say: “Microsoft’s support of the Portland network further reinforces the validity of advertising-supported municipal Wi-Fi. We’re confident that consumers will appreciate the added value of Microsoft’s locally relevant MSN content and services.”

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