Wireless Tech Chat

This week is the big one as far as the proposed citywide wireless network for San Francisco is concerned. The network, which will be managed by Google and EarthLink, has undergone its share of controversy over the past year-and-a-half ever since the deal was first announced. Privacy concerns, questions over who has the ultimate control over the network and how much it really will be used by residents, and costs have been debated ad infinitum.

However, it looks like the agreement is on track to be voted on by the city’s Board of Supervisors after it considers a proposal from the San Francisco Neighborhood Antenna Free Union (SNAFU) to review the environmental impact the placement of over 2,000 wireless antennas around the area. If the board enacts the proposal, this review could take about a year and, frankly, this would likely drive the stake through the heart of the Google/EarthLink network.

At this point, Mayor Newsom and other supporters of the network must step up to the plate and prove that the Google/EarthLink network will deliver on its promises. There have been way too many delays and debates over it, and it is time to act, whether it be to enact the agreement or not. The constant pondering by some in this city, as well as others, is hurting the development and deployment of this technology, and residents are being denied the potential benefits of a wireless network.

[Via Examiner.com]