Google & Earthlink Team Up on WiFi
In an effort to bring WiFi wireless Internet to the entire city of San Francisco, Google has teamed with Earthlink and the two have submitted a proposal together. The Ciywide WiFi proposal is based on a two tier structure according to Om Malik, “a combination of free and pay service. As part of the proposal, Google will push a slower, but free network with connection speeds of 256 kbps up to 384 kbps.”
Malik adds that “Earthlink on the other hand will offer a paid, citywide higher-speed service at 1 mbps, both upstream and down.”
According to the proposal, Google and Earthlink will share the cost of construction and operational expenses of the WiFi network.
Because of Google involvment and its tech progressive culture, San Fran has gotten a lot of the spotlight on their WiFi program (despite similar citywide WiFi initiatives in Baltimore, Philly, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Chicago). One reason being that many feel that San Fran WiFi may be a sandbox for Google’s plans to bring WiFi to the world – possibly before FON does via bypassing global politics.
