[CAnet - news] Google to offer free WiFi access throughout San Francisco

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>
   From: Dewayne 
   To: "Dewayne-Net Technology List" <[email protected]>
   Subject: [Dewayne-Net] Wireless access for all? Google plan
   would offer free Internet throughout SF 
   Reply-To: [email protected]
   Wireless access for all?

   Google plan would offer free Internet throughout SF
   - Verne Kopytoff and Ryan Kim, Chronicle Staff Writers
   Friday, September 30, 2005

   Google Inc. has proposed to blanket San Francisco with free
   wireless Internet access, placing a marquee name behind Mayor
   Gavin Newsom's effort to get all residents online whether they
   are at home, in a park or in a cafe.

   The offer by the Mountain View search engine was one of many
   competing bids received by the city before its deadline
   Friday. Officials will now review the submissions and make a
   decision about which, if any, of the candidates get the green
   light for so-called Wi-Fi service.

   In joining the competition, Google is showing yet another sign
   of its boundless ambition. In the past few months, the company
   has released a succession of new products including instant
   messaging and telephone service that take it further from its
   search engine roots.

   The proposal furthers existing speculation that Google intends
   to create a free national Wi-Fi network. If so, it could pose
   a serious challenge to existing Internet service providers,
   such as SBC-Yahoo, Earthlink, Comcast and America Online,
   which charge subscriptions for wire connections.

   "This is a great opportunity to provide a community service to
   the Bay Area," said Chris Sacca, who oversaw Google's wireless
   Internet bid in San Francisco. "This furthers the goal of
   providing access to all residents and visitors on as wide a
   scale as possible."

   Mayor Newsom unveiled a goal of a free, city-wide Wi-Fi
   network last year as part of his state of the city address.
   Since then, officials have been weighing how to carry out
   despite a tight budget, finally asking for proposals from over
   the summer.

   As part of its proposal, Google said it could do the job
   without charge to either the city or residents.
   Google is a neophyte in wireless Internet access. It's
   experience is limited to tests at a gym and cafe near its
   headquarters and at Bryant Park, in New York City.
   Separately, Google sponsors free Wi-Fi service in San
   Francisco's Union Square in conjunction with a local start-up,
   Feeva.

   Competitors who submitted responses to the city's request for
   comments said Google's proposal is not entirely surprising.
   But they questioned the company's ability to follow through on
   its plans.

   Donald Berryman, EVP and president of municipal networks for
   Earthlink, questioned if Google had the know-how to be an
   Internet service provider. He said providing the deal for free
   is also not sustainable in the long run.

   "We've looked into free service and we haven't found a model
   where free works," said Berryman. "At some point free becomes
   less sustainable because there's no way to upgrade service and
   the networks when no one's paying for it."

   Chuck Haas, CEO of MetroFi, which runs two wi-fi networks in
   Cupertino and Santa Clara, wondered if Google would be meet
   the city's goals for coverage.

   But he said the idea of free service is not entirely
   far-fetched. He said his company submitted a proposal in which
   wireless broadband would be free across San Francisco but
   would be paid for with ads and would have no technical support
   or services for users. For $19.99 a month, subscribers would
   get enhanced service with no ads and customer support.
   "I believe we'll have enough people that want full security
   and customer support with no ads that we could make money,"
   Haas said. "But no matter who the city chooses, I don't think
   the city will have to pay for this network."
   SBC spokesman John Britton said his company encourages
   competition, but feels that governments should seek greater
   investment from private companies to increase broadband
   service. He said in San Francisco's case, the city is already
   served by SBC and enjoys more than 400 free wi-fi hotspots,
   more than any other in the country.
   "We feel there is already widespread broadband available
   today," Britton said.
   Vince Vasquez, a policy fellow with the Pacific Research
   Institute, which receives funding from SBC, said there has
   never been a company willing to volunteer this kind of a
   network. But even if it's free, it might represent too much
   involvement by the city in a sector that should left to
   private industries, he said.
   "Our concern is with public money and publicly controlled
   internet access," said Vasquez. "We take a lot of caution
   about how government should intervene in the market."
   URL:
   <http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/10/01/GOOGLE.TMP>
   Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>



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