All of this jockeying for position has apparently given EarthLink cold feet, which could prove to be disastrous.Burlingame, Calif. - San Francisco's promised experiment with free wireless Internet access may end the same way a summer of free love did some 40 years ago: with broken promises and a mean hangover.
Last week, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors put off a vote to approve a contract with EarthLink to set up a wireless network as it dickered with the company over the deal terms. Meanwhile, a struggling EarthLink is now reviewing its municipal wi-fi plans as it tries to push its way back to profitability.
And now the crunchies--and San Francisco is the homeland of all things crunchy--are throwing out one idea and worry after another, from fears about the health risks of wi-fi to plans to give residents access to a city-operated fiber-optic network.
All I want to do is be able to head into the City and get WiFi for free. Is that so much to ask?