We are tracking with interest the news that arrive from the United States about city councils that decide to create their own wi-fi networks. We have to point out that they do it because broadband Internet access in the USA isn’t as available as in Europe and, therefore, prices are slightly higher.So city councils are trying to become the new would-be competitor to cable operators, who currently act like quasi-monopolies. The trouble is that many councils, under the guise of a praiseworthy project, create the networks on their own -as they create new sewer systems- and try to make them unique.And when asked by the media why they do it, they make up all kinds of excuses. The most eye-catching excuse is that given by the Philadelphia City Council: “The wi-fi network will make the city more attractive for companies and job-hunters”. Well, that could be true if they cut broadband prices down. But it is quite unlikely that public wi-fi convinces a company to settle in Philadelphia.