Philadephia's WiFi public works project could go semi-private. Who benefits? Verizon.

Provisional House Bill 30 (HB30) could put a snag in Phiadephia's plan to offer city-wide WiFi starting in June 2005. The bill makes it unlawful for local government to offer the service for a fee unless it goes through private partners. In this case, it look like politician-friendly Verizon could be the winner of this legislative battle. The incumbent regional telecommunications carrier in Philadelphia, not only could they get the contract to provide the service, but would also end up having their new network susidized by the city. Nice one, big V.