Telephony reports that EarthLink and Google have been tabbed as the most viable bidders to blanket San Francisco with a public Wi-Fi network, based on a review by the city�s Department of Telecommunications and Information Services, or DTIS.
The joint bid from the two companies means that the city will initiate contract negotiations with both to create a universal broadband wireless network in the city. DTIS received six proposals, which were submitted to a review panel of city employees and an outside consulting firm.
Under the EarthLink/Google plan, users will have the option of a free Wi-Fi service � the Google portion � that will funded by ads or a pay service that costs around $20 per month from EarthLink. The pay version is expected to be offered at significantly faster connection speeds.
Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of municipal networks, added in prepared remarks, �San Francisco is one of the most progressive cities in the world, and our combined offerings with Google, Motorola and Tropos Networks will stretch the possibilities of what a mobile network can do for residents, businesses, municipal government and visitors. We look forward to getting started in building a solution that will bring the incredible possibilities to reality.�
The joint bid from the two companies means that the city will initiate contract negotiations with both to create a universal broadband wireless network in the city. DTIS received six proposals, which were submitted to a review panel of city employees and an outside consulting firm.
Under the EarthLink/Google plan, users will have the option of a free Wi-Fi service � the Google portion � that will funded by ads or a pay service that costs around $20 per month from EarthLink. The pay version is expected to be offered at significantly faster connection speeds.
Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of municipal networks, added in prepared remarks, �San Francisco is one of the most progressive cities in the world, and our combined offerings with Google, Motorola and Tropos Networks will stretch the possibilities of what a mobile network can do for residents, businesses, municipal government and visitors. We look forward to getting started in building a solution that will bring the incredible possibilities to reality.�