San Francisco picks Google, EarthLink

SAN FRANCISCO PICKS GOOGLE, EARTHLINK
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Verne Kopytoff]
San Francisco on Wednesday chose the high-tech team of Google and EarthLink to bring free, wireless Internet access to virtually everyone in the city, possibly by the end of the year. The two companies, which were recommended by a city panel evaluating the project, beat out five other bidders for a chance at the highly coveted contract. After a contract is negotiated by the city, reviewed by the Board of Supervisors and the network built, residents will be able to log on wirelessly whether at home, in a park or at work. Both companies would share the cost of installing the necessary equipment, estimated at up to $12 million. San Francisco will pay nothing and actually reap some fees by leasing city property as perches for Wi-Fi antennas. The project, championed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, is intended to boost the city's technology credentials and help bridge the digital divide between the Internet haves and have-nots. It has also generated intense interest from other cities looking to build similar networks.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/06/GOOGLE.TMP&t...

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