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TechConnect
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, February 21, 2005
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications
415-554-6131
*** PRESS RELEASE ***
SAN FRANCISCO ONE STEP CLOSER TO CREATING AFFORDABLE UNIVERSAL WIFI
Today marked the close of the City's Request for Proposal to create first of its kind affordable, universal wireless broadband network
San Francisco, CA – At 5pm today, the City closed the 45-day Request for Proposal (RFP) process that sought bids to create an affordable, universal, wireless broadband network in San Francisco. Mayor Newsom pledged to create a universal, affordable WiFi network in San Francisco in his first State of the City address in October 2004.
The RFP was launched following an initial Request for Information and Comment (RFI/C), which solicited extensive public input including over 300 public comments and 26 proposals from the private and non-profit sectors for how best to provide affordable, universal WiFi. The RFP that closed today incorporated many of the ideas and practices presented in the RFI/C process.
“Affordable internet that is accessible to all San Francicscans regardless of geography or income is simply essential – we must recognize that access to information is a fundamental government service akin to libraries or public schools,” said Mayor Newsom.
Providing affordable, universal WiFi is the cornerstone of Mayor Newsom’s TechConnect initiative to provide all San Franciscans, especially low-income families and residents of disadvantaged communities, with equal access to the social, educational, and economic opportunities available online.
The City received six submissions in response to the RFP from the following entities: Communication Bridge Global; Earthlink/Google; MetroFi; NextWLAN; Razortooth Communications LLP (dba RedTAP); and SF Metro Connect (SeaKay, Cisco, IBM).
An RFP review panel will evaluate the proposals and make recommendations by early April. At which time, the Department of Telecommunications and Information Services hopes to enter into negotiations with the winning bidder. For further information and updates on the Mayor’s TechConnect initiative go to the TechConnect webpage at http://www.sfgov.org/techconnect.
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