San Francisco TechConnect WiFi Network

[Yournet at hotmail.com]

Proposals for San Francisco's TechConnect RFP to provide WiFi service to 
about 174 square miles are available on their web site:

http://www.sfgov.org/site/tech_connect_page.asp?id=36612

What is very interesting is that proposals from Cisco-IBM and 
EarthLink-Google are for no-cost core deployments and free basic level of 
service.  Premium and corporate class services and city services are at 
commercial rates.

Why are these guys bidding to provide basic service for free? Probably 
because they expect to make up for the investment in PR goodwill, and 
premium services.  And this is a 'land grab' because it is for 10 years+ (10 
years plus 4).  Also, Cisco and Google are based in the area so there is 
some prestige ego factor involved.

Bob Syputa