IP Democracy: Google's Free Wi-Fi Offer Not a Total Slam-Dunk

CNET’s News.com’s Stephanie Olsen has a piece on San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s high-profile proposal to deliver Wi-Fi across the city, made even more visible by Google’s offer to deliver the wireless broadband option at no charge to users. Neither Newsom nor Chris Vein, who is heading up the project for Newsom, would offer much detail on the bids received so far, but Newsom did say privacy is an issue. Google plans to support its Wi-Fi service by selling ads.

The project is on a fast-track. Newsom’s office is forming a committee that will make recommendations within three weeks. The project is slated to be up and running in 2006, with construction possibly starting as soon as six months from now.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on October 4, 2005 9:23 AM to IP Democracy