Free wireless internet access?

Free wireless access? Some communities are paving the way to let internet users have free access. An interesting idea that may help bring internet access to many that would not otherwise be able to make the connection. Perhaps North Carolina cities and communities should consider this to help state citizens have access to information that could help them have a better life.

The following January 2007 article is about what San Francisco is doing...

Free wireless access in S.F. a step closer
Google, Earthlink sign pact with city to operate network

Saturday, January 6, 2007
Verne Kopytoff, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer - Saturday, January 6, 2007

Mayor Gavin Newsom's high-profile plan to blanket San Francisco with free wireless Internet access moved a step closer to reality Friday, when the city signed a contract with EarthLink and Google to install and operate the system.

The agreement, reached after seven months of negotiations, puts into print an initiative that has generated worldwide attention for both its ambition and for Google's celebrity. It also opens the project's next chapter -- a vote by the Board of Supervisors -- which promises ample debate over issues of ownership and revenue that could delay or derail the plan.

"This agreement to bring free universal wireless Internet access to San Francisco is a critical step in bridging the digital divide that separates too many communities from the enormous benefits of technology," Newsom said in a statement. "Ubiquitous Wi-Fi will change how residents access education, social services and economic opportunities."

As part of the contract, Google, the Web search giant based in Mountain View, would offer free Internet service at 300 kilobits per second, a speed slower than what broadband access provides but fast enough for a user to surf the Web and send e-mail.

EarthLink, the Internet service provider, would own the network and offer a faster service, at 1 megabit per second, for $21.95 per month.

A city panel selected the two companies for the Wi-Fi project in April over five other bidders. Shortly thereafter, the city opened negotiations, which have gone on longer than originally expected and prompted Chris Sacca, who leads Google's special projects, to voice frustration recently at what he called the slow progress.

Over the term of the four-year contract, EarthLink would pay the city a little over $1 million, according to city estimates. That would include $600,000 in guaranteed payments for the city's right of way, $40,000 annually to place antennas on light poles, and 5 percent of all revenue generated from subscriptions, which would be used by the city to buy computers and pay for training for community groups.

The agreement also establishes a minimum standard for privacy and rules for sharing personal data with third parties. Users who don't want EarthLink to track their location based on where they access its network would have to opt out.

Several city supervisors have raised questions about the city's dealings with the EarthLink-Google team and have suggested that residents might be better off with a publicly owned Wi-Fi system. Hearings are likely on the matter.

Jake McGoldrick, a supervisor who represents the Richmond District, criticized the contract, calling the amount the companies must pay the city a pittance. He said the Internet giants should pay more, including Google, whose annual profits are more than $1 billion. Google also plans to make more revenue by offering online advertising on the free San Francisco service.

"They might as well give it away for nothing," McGoldrick said of the fees the companies are expected to pay. "That's not even peanut shells."

In addition to the supervisors, EarthLink and Google must get approval from the Public Utilities Commission and must obtain permits from various departments. The contact can be extended three times, four years each.

There was no word on when the Wi-Fi system will be up and running. Past predictions by the city have come and gone without any progress.

As part of the agreement, EarthLink will set up a test before deploying its Wi-Fi citywide shortly after the deal is approved by the supervisors. The entire network is expected to take less than a year to complete.

Chronicle staff writers Ryan Kim and Charlie Goodyear contributed to this report. E-mail Verne Kopytoff at vkopytoff@sfchronicle.com.

URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/06/MNGOMNE4RM1.DTL


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©2007 San Francisco Chronicle