San Francisco selects Google/Earthlink for citywide WiFi

As we expected, the GooLink WiFi partnership between Google and Earthlink was judged by a San Francisco city panel as the best candidate to blanket SF in a free-ish, citywide WiFi service. The service, which is expected to cost at least $15-mil to build, will consist of an ad-subsidized 300kbps free service or a $20/mth ad-free 1Mbps service. Of course, the two must now enter contract negotiations with the City which Earthlink is taking the lead on before any, er, wiring can begin. MetroFi came in as first runner-up meaning they'll take the crown should any lewd photos from Larry and Sergei's Stanford days be drudged-up.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2006 8:30AM]

Sounds good. I'm guessing for the ad-subsidized service that you'll have to use a specialized browser?

[gerhard @ Apr 6th 2006 10:13AM]

What about fon.com in San Francisco ?

[SoopahMan @ Apr 6th 2006 11:12AM]

If the "Google Pack" is any indication, probably a Google-branded Firefox would serve the ads... .

Or perhaps the Google Sidebar would be locked in place at right with an ads plugin running, that you can't remove while connected.

It will be interesting to see how Google attempts to implement what's going to be a very difficult thing to do - force a user's computer to do something based on system-level information. Many companies have tried (anyone ever use that AllAdvantage paid browsing?) and ended up having to invade user's PCs and cause instability or accept that everyone disables their ads but receives the benefits... .

[aaron @ Apr 6th 2006 11:22AM]

There's more ways to use the internet than web browsing. Above solutions can't host banners if the browser's not open. I think we might see some kind of connection app a la old school Net Zero. Curious to see how all this falls into place. Do they have an estimated time for completion?

[Dermot81 @ Apr 6th 2006 11:31AM]

Man, wish they had this in NYC. I'd gladly pay $20 a month if I can get a 1Mbps on my PDA anywhere in the city. Beats the hell out of a $40+ a month plan with Verizon for similar speed EV-DO. (Yes I know I can tether for free, but its risky)

[David Lazarus @ Apr 6th 2006 12:03PM]

It is a great idea and not too bad a price. Now all we need is Skype enabled Wifi phones to really take advantage of this service

[Phineas J. Whoopee @ Apr 6th 2006 12:23PM]

"MetroFi came in as first runner-up meaning they'll take the crown should any lewd photos from Larry and Sergei's Stanford days be drudged-up."

(Considering that we're talking about San Francisco, that actually might help "get them in" - pun intended!)

[alfamale @ Apr 6th 2006 12:48PM]

WiFi's great and all, but I think us San Franciscans have more pressing concerns, like the invasion fleet of giant curvy black lines hovering over our local landmarks.

[baseball babe @ Apr 6th 2006 1:46PM]

Even though the initial start up cost is huge, I hope this works and catches on in other cities!

[The Jeremy @ Apr 6th 2006 3:52PM]

Why does Google need Earthlink? Talk about a worthless ISP that has outlived its limited usefulness. May they expire long before AOL, and about at the same time as MSN.

[The Driver @ Apr 6th 2006 4:25PM]

Awesome. You know what my prediction is?:

NEXT UP: Toronto, the t dot o dot one of a kind!

But seriously were getting wified soon in Toronto too. Plans are to have it ready this summer say mr miller our mayor. I dont think well get that google thing by then too though.

[Somoky @ Apr 7th 2006 12:44AM]

Will my PSP be able to connect to this service?

[hingkit @ Apr 10th 2006 1:21AM]

service is good.

[Ron Wilson @ Apr 18th 2006 3:54PM]

I cannot wait to get WiFi in my city.

[Vic Lee @ Mar 21st 2007 12:42AM]

How wide is the range of the wifi connection? Los Angeles' mayor announced plans for city-wide wifi as well. Looks like we're finally taking another step in the information age.

http://nationwidevpn.com