San Francisco mayor launches free WiFi plan

[korsjs]

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom launched an initiative Tuesday to bring free or affordable wireless Internet service to all the city's citizens within a year.

With the initiative, San Francisco joins numerous other cities across the country that say they have municipal wireless projects in the works. Until now, Philadelphia was the only large metropolitan area to do so.

Newsom acknowledged that he hopes San Francisco can learn from some of Philadelphia's bumps in the road to WiFi, short for wireless fidelity or wireless Internet connections. Philadelphia, which is reviewing final bids for its service, encountered opposition from commercial Internet providers Comcast and Verizon, which viewed a city-run broadband service as a potential business threat. The 135-square-mile city is reviewing its final bids and puts cost estimates at $15 million to $18 million.

San Francisco's project has an estimated $10 million to $18 million price tag, Newsom said. The city, which occupies 49 square miles, is smaller than Philadelphia, but its hilly topography will pose some challenges, he said.

Both San Francisco and Philadelphia's initiatives were designed to bridge the so-called digital divide that keeps lower-income residents from benefiting from technology. Newsom said a municipal wireless network could also greatly help city employees, especially the police and fire departments.

The city is seeking proposals from industry and non-profits alike by Sept. 28, the mayor said, and is keeping an ``open mind'' as to whether the program should be a city utility, a public-private partnership, or a purchased service.

Newsom said he has heard from many groups that oppose the initiative since he first mentioned the idea in his State of the City address in October. But he said he's ready to go ``head to head'' with them. Companies may offer wireless services fairly cheaply now, but as cable, phone service and Internet providers move to consolidate, ``prices will inevitably go up as competition declines.''

A spokesman for SBC, which currently offers Internet service in the city for $14.95 a month, said the company hadn't yet seen Newsom's proposal.

``As soon as we do, I'd be glad to comment on it,'' said spokesman John Britton.

Comcast spokesman Andrew Johnson said likewise.

``Comcast will thoroughly review the proposal and determine if the concept syncs up with our long-term business plans for the city of San Francisco and if so, respond accordingly.''

Verizon, which also offers wireless plans in the city, said that in general the company doesn't oppose cities getting into the municipal broadband market, but ``we do think they should go into these ventures with their eyes open.''

``It's a very complicated thing to set up,'' said spokesman Jonathan Davies.

``There's always new technology that's coming up. You've got to be continually investing in it to keep up with customers' expectations. . . . In general, we feel it's better to leave it to companies that specialize in communications and have the expertise.''


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[PhillyOTA]

Because the Philadelphia school systems are so well maintained they can now focus on the pressing need of free WiFi.

Eddie

[Stargazer]

I wished more areas would rollout a free/reduced wireless service. It is a wonder that they dont have that available already like they do OTA antenna's and you watch the commericals on those local channels which pays to keep the station on air.

[PhillyOTA]

What company or govt agency should pay to deploy it?

Eddie