Google tells San Francisco it wants the option to set-up it's own WiFi network separate from EarthLink's

[Kimo Crossman]

As the negotiations for San Francisco WiFi contract with EarthLink wrap-up - an explosive development
 
Google wants the ability to create their own WiFi network n light poles in addition to the 300k free tier they are underwriting on the EarthLink network.
 
I've been saying for over a year that Muni-WiFi is all about Pole Real-Estate - essentially access to the limited vertical assets in the city which have 24-7 power and are not decorative or blocked by trees or buildings.  
 
Everyone knows that current WiFi isn't very powerful - this is about getting your right-of-way for the next generation.

See the details here
 
http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/dtis/tech_connect/WrittenSummaryWeekEnding111006.pdf
 
When Brian Roberts of DTIS, the city IT department staffer that is performing the negotiations testified at a public hearing on Friday 11/17 he didn't reveal this major development even though the discussion happened at least a week earlier. 
 
Streaming video here of 11/17 hearing
http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=16&clip_id=2790 


All the weekly negotiation documents are located here:
 
http://www.sfgov.org/site/tech_connect_index.asp?id=40515