http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4351400.stm
QUOTE |
A growing number of cities in the US are treating high-speed internet as a basic amenity for citizens, like running water or the electricity grid. But as the concept expands so does the battle with big business. Earlier this month, Philadelphia - one of America's oldest and most historic cities - thrust itself onto the technological frontline by announcing plans to build the biggest municipal wireless internet system in the country. The 135-square-mile network will be built and managed by Earthlink, and will offer low-income residents a service for about $10 (£5.70) a month. A clutch of other cities are hoping to follow suit with free or low-cost services aimed at reconnecting poor communities, growing local businesses and giving new flexibility to the emergency services. In a couple of weeks, San Francisco will announce the results of its call for proposals on providing a wireless service to the city's 750,000 inhabitants. One bid that sent shockwaves through the industry came from Google, which offered to blanket the city with free wireless high-speed internet access - funded by advertising. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said: "This is inevitable - wi-fi. It is long overdue. It is to me a fundamental right to have access universally to information." |
QUOTE (AC9breaker @ Oct 20 2005, 06:40 AM) | ||
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4351400.stm
It seems also that big internet and phone companies are lobbying against this move as they feel their richness will decrease, something they can not tolerate. I wonder how many politicians will be purchasing new cars in the months to come. |
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