Google has partnered with EarthLink in a bid to build a wireless network in San Francisco. The projected cost of the project is $15 million over 10 years.


Google has partnered with EarthLink in a bid to build a wireless network in San Francisco.

The projected cost of building and maintaining the Wi-Fi network $15 million over 10 years.

Google and EarthLink’s joint bid is competing against five other proposals. The other finalists are Communication Bridge Global; NextWLAN; Razortooth Communications LLP; MetroFi and SF Metro Connect, a partnership that includes SeaKay, Cisco Systems Inc. and IBM Corp.

“Several other large cities, including Chicago and Minneapolis, are working with the private sector to build Wi-Fi networks, but the San Francisco project has been among the most closely watched because of Google’s interest in blanketing the 46.5-mile-square city with free Internet access.” [Source]