San Francisco selects Google/Earthlink for citywide WiFi
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Apr 6th 2006 7:00AM
posted Apr 6th 2006 7:00AM
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.
Sounds good. I'm guessing for the ad-subsidized service that you'll have to use a specialized browser?
What about fon.com in San Francisco ?
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... .
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?
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)
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
"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!)
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.
Even though the initial start up cost is huge, I hope this works and catches on in other cities!
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.
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.
Will my PSP be able to connect to this service?
service is good.
I cannot wait to get WiFi in my city.
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