San Francisco mayor announces wireless Internet access goal

Black Issues in Higher Education, Nov 18, 2004 by Ronald Roach

SAN FRANCISCO

In what is the latest in a national trend of citywide WiFi access projects, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to cover the city's entire 46.7 square miles with wireless Internet access. Newsom, in his first State of the City address last month, set a goal of providing free wireless Internet activity in a city that regards itself as a leader in the Internet revolution.

"These technologies will connect our residents to the skills and the jobs of the new economy. No San Franciscan should be without a computer and a broadband connection," Newsom said.

The city has already made free WiFi service available at Union Square, a central shopping and tourist hub, and expects to add access to several other sections of the city including the Civic Center around City Hall.

The city is offering the current WiFI service on a test basis in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Department of Telecommunications (DTIS) and Information Services, the Recreation and Parks Department, UnwireNow, a San Francisco wireless service provider and Terabeam Wireless, a provider of license-free wireless data equipment.

Other cities establishing significant WiFi projects include Philadelphia, San Jose, Calif., and parts of Long Beach, Calif.