Free Wi-Fi for San Francisco

On wednesday, the city of San Francisco selected a joint bid by Earthlink and Google to provide the city with a wireless network. The joint proposal calls for free and paid wireless service available throughout the city. The two companies submitted the proposal to San Francisco in February. A contract between the city of San Francisco and both Earthlink and Google must still be signed. The Board of supervisors has yet to review the contract.
An Earthlink representitive said that "San Francisco residents won't likely see the free Wi-Fi service for another six to eight months while negotiations are being made." The executive director of the Department of Telecommunications and Informaion Services for San Francisco, Chris Vein, said yesterday that he expects negotiations with the two companies to go well and that work on building out the network could begin this year and be completed within a few months.
In a blog, EarthLink Executive Vice President Donald Berryman wrote, "San Francisco is one of the most progressive cities in the world, and our combined offerings with Google, Motorola and Tropos Networks will stretch the possibilities of what a mobile network can do for residents, businesses, municipal government and visitors."
The free Wi-Fi is a great idea because it will provide a broader field for communication. If installed, the Wi-Fi could provide free internet access to those who normally couldn't afford it. San Francisco residents, especially children, will be able to use the free internet as a learning and communication tool.
A downside of the free Wi-Fi some brought to attention is the loss of revenue for the city of San Francisco.
Google will manage the free 300-kilobits-per-second Wi-Fi service, while EarthLink will offer the faster premium service of 1mbps for up to $20 a month.
Personally, I think the free Wi-Fi service would be great for San Francisco. I don't believe too much revenue will be lost. Many citizens of San Francisco, in my opinion, will sign up for the $20 service. It's too good of a deal to pass up. With the free Wi-Fi, San Francisco will possibly prosper. It will be good for the businesses and education in San Francisco. If I was given the opportunity to receive fast internet service for $20, I would definitely jump on the wagon. I'm guessing the citizens of San Francisco will do the same.