By Ron Thaniel
October 3, 2005

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom launched a new initiative August 16 to provide universal, affordable wireless broadband access to all San Franciscans at no cost or minimal cost to the city and residents.

Marking a significant change from hotspots or hot zones, where WiFi access is available in proscribed areas, San Francisco’s initiative seeks ubiquitous connectivity anywhere, anytime – an especially difficult challenge in a city renowned for its hilly topography. In addition to the seamless connectivity, the San Francisco WiFi initiative seeks to provide portable connectivity via handheld, PDA or cell phone, as well as mobile or nomadic connectivity – at an affordable cost for all residents, including low income San Franciscans.

Newsom called the city’s WiFi initiative a model to the country, saying “As the United States lags behind other nations in equipping our citizens for the global economy, San Francisco understands that universal, affordable, wireless broadband access is essential to boost our economic, social and educational opportunities.”

Newsom also acknowledged the WiFi initiative as a step toward bridging the digital divide, saying “Providing universal, affordable, wireless broadband access is the just first phase of our new TechConnect strategy that will bring the promise of technology to low income and disadvantaged citizens.”

TechConnect will connect all San Franciscans to the social, educational, informational and economic opportunities available online by creating public/private partnerships to provide technology equipment to those residents who can least afford it; by providing tools to help users make sense of the incredible array of information found on the internet; and by providing training support to teach residents how to use and maintain the equipment necessary to access the wealth of opportunity available online.

Action Alert

Contact your House and Senate members and urge them to oppose any legislation that nationalizing video franchising.

Highlight that you welcome video competition from the traditional telephone providers. Let them know that to further secure America’s future economic growth, your city, like other cities and suburbs, and citizens regardless of income, need a modern communications infrastructure that includes the entry of traditional telephone providers into the video marketplace.

However, local franchises do not just provide permission to offer video services, they are the core tool local government uses to manage streets and sidewalks, provide for public safety, homeland security, enhance competition, and to collect compensation for private use of public land.

Eliminating local franchises will cause chaos and deprive local government of the power to perform its basic functions.