This isn’t the first time the city has given an ISP to provide internet access for NYC and previous attempts by large ISPs were either a lie or unsuccessful. Yes I do think internet should be community operated and owned and if that means the city pays NYC Mesh some money to install and maintain it, then that’s good for the city. That’s tax money being invested into the quality of the neighborhoods. Where did you get this information that the contract excludes any sort of maintenance?
The current system for ANYONE who wants to be apart of the network but not install is tipped based. There is nothing that indicates the contract between the city and NYC Mesh would operate that way.
These networks are so easy to set up that almost little to no maintenance is required. And this is the first step to city wholly owned and maintained networks that is a good thing. That means the people in the city are better off and more self sufficient when it comes to internet access.
NYC Mesh has an excellent track record of providing and maintaining service (maybe at a cost or not). Large ISPs have continually failed in that regard. So yes this is a better and more visible use of money.
I invite you to get involved and be more than an arm chair critic.