October 4, 2005

Google said it wants to supply San Francisco with free Wi-Fi Internet access and is prepared to begin work on the network within a few weeks.

Google submitted its proposal Friday, the last day for San Francisco's Requests for Information from companies and nonprofits regarding unwiring the city to provide free or low-cost Wi-Fi Internet access to its residents by late August 2006.

Google said it has no plans to expand free Wi-Fi beyond the Bay Area and explained that the project could serve as a test-ground for new location-based applications and services that enable people to find information when and where they need it.

The company said developing these and other services on the San Francisco network ultimately would benefit end users and Google business partners.

On Sept. 20, several pages on the Internet search company's site indicated Google was set to launch its own wireless Internet service via Google Secure Access, a downloadable client application in beta-test status. The free software allows a secure, encrypted Internet connection to Google's virtual private network.

"One of our engineers recognized that secure Wi-Fi was virtually nonexistent at most locations," a Google Web page read at the time. "As a result, he used his 20-percent project time to begin an initiative to offer users more secure Wi-Fi access. Google Secure Access is the result of this endeavor."

Earlier this year, Google began sponsoring a free hot spot in San Francisco, and the Internet giant has been rumored to be working on its own wireless service for weeks. In August, the company introduced Google Talk, an Internet-based instant messaging and voice service.

Google currently offers short message service and WAP-based mobile search services.

The city of San Francisco has not yet released officially any details of the proposals it has received and did not respond to phone calls by press time.

Source: RCR News