#Wifi?

Last week, during the countdown to the World Cup in Brazil, Brasília launched an open wireless connection system. The press treated this as a significant event. It is... significant, but to what extent does it work, and does it promote democracy and the exchange of information?

The rise of social classes and the war between telephone operators for new broadband customers, with some charging as little as R$0,50 per day for 3G connections, has brought many people into the mobile market. Or has it?

Novelty shouldn't be the issue in this case, much less economic factors. Anyone who owns a mobile internet device already has a certain purchasing power, and moreover, they are already accustomed to using free hotspots, or "wireless pirated connections," if they don't have a data plan in large cities or capitals.

I don't know if you're aware, but the first city with an open Wi-Fi internet system wasn't a capital city. Much less a large city. The city that showed this interest was Sud Mennucci (614km from São Paulo, the capital). Oh, if you think that was last year, you're wrong. It was in 2003. That's right, 2003. Almost 8 years ago. And look, access to hardware was restricted.

I notice that cities are proposing to distribute this connectivity, but I don't believe the quality will be maintained. These actions are much more political than technological. They're more for show than real digital inclusion.

Telecom companies are moving at a snail's pace, trying to cover small towns with broadband, and those excluded from the network still resort to dial-up connections. Wi-Fi?