Wireless: Chicago the “Second City”?

Google and Earthlink recently inked a deal to blanket San Francisco with free wireless. Can Chicago get on this technology train? Mayor Daley needs to show some leadership in this area to ensure that Chicago stays near the front of the pack in technology for its businesses and citizens.We’ll have to wait and see.

Google and EarthLink on Friday reached an agreement on the terms of the contract for the two companies to build a free, citywide wireless network in San Francisco. The agreement followed about eight months of negotiations. “The network ensures universal, affordable wireless broadband access for all San Franciscans, especially low-income and disadvantaged residents,” Donald Berryman, president of the Internet service provider’s municipal networks unit, said. The companies hope to begin construction this year. The joint Google-EarthLink proposal was chosen last April over five other bids to build a Wi-Fi network that would blanket the city. Mayor Gavin Newsom had launched the wireless broadband initiative in order to provide free Internet access to poorer residents.