Six bids received for universal
San Francisco WiFi

By Pat Murphy

February 22, 2006

A collaboration between Google and EarthLink were among six bids received today to create an "affordable, universal, wireless broadband network in San Francisco."

As bids closed at 5:00 p.m., proposals were received from Communication Bridge Global; Earthlink/Google; MetroFi; NextWLAN; Razortooth Communications LLP; and SF Metro Connect, Mayor Gavin Newsom reported.

"Affordable internet that is accessible to all San Franciscans regardless of geography or income is simply essential - we must recognize that access to information is a fundamental government service akin to libraries or public schools," said Newsom.

A City review panel is scheduled to make award recommendations in April.

Bill Tolpegrin, vice president of EarthLink, explained the submission partnered with Google.

"Under the plan, Google would manage the free Wi-Fi service, which will run at 300 kilobits per second, while EarthLink would offer a 1-megabit-per-second service with customer support for $20 a month or less," Tolpegrin said.

"Cable companies, telephone companies and local Internet Service Providers are expected to be charged $9 to $12 a month wholesale charges to use the Wi-Fi network for reselling their own wireless service.

"Google and EarthLink would jointly deploy and manage the network, but Tolpegin declined to say how much the companies are prepared to invest. EarthLink spent $10 million to $15 million to build a Wi-Fi network in Philadelphia that covers 135 square miles," he said, adding that the San Francisco network would cover 47 square miles.

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