Free Wi-Fi, The San Francisco Treat

If you are like most people these days, you have ditched your dial-up Internet access and you have gone broadband. Looking back, you can't imagine what it would be like to have to return the process of dialing in, waiting for the connection, having your phone line tied up and then surfing at a snails pace crawl! Back then you accepted it because you didn't know any better or you had yet to experience the always-on, instant and fast connection that only DSL and cable can bring you. Now with that said, if you have gone Wi-Fi, then you can remember back to a time when you were tied to your desk - literally. With Wi-Fi you are free to move yourself indoors or outdoors without the hassle of cables or lines. Not only are you reeking the benefits of a fast connection, but you are doing it all wirelessly! It's great, but the only thing that doesn't make it perfect is that you are limited to range in which your Internet access will expand to...unless you live in SF.

San Francisco wants ideas for making the entire 49-square-mile city a free, or at least cheap, Wi-Fi zone. Taking a step toward bridging the so-called digital divide between the tech-savvy and people who can't afford computers, the city government issued guidelines for a plan to ensure universal, affordable wireless broadband access for all San Franciscans. The city is soliciting ideas for an ambitious system that would put Wi-Fi in the hands of people whether they are working in a high-rise office tower, riding on a cable car or living in a low-income housing project. According to an annual ranking compiled by Intel, San Francisco already ranks just behind Seattle as the most "unwired city" in America, thanks to a ubiquity of cafes and restaurants that offer Wi-Fi. Last year the city erected antennas to make one of its most popular tourist destinations, Union Square, a free hot spot and three others are set to go up later this year.

About a year ago I heard plans of this taking place, so I'm happy to hear it is finally being done. I hope other cities also adopt the idea because for many, the Internet has almost become a necessity to our everyday living. It's such a useful tool for research and communication that it almost seems silly for every city not to seriously consider following the "free/cheap Wi-Fi for all" trend that SF has adopted. Of course it is the home of Silicon Valley so I'm sure the fact that the city is already crammed with tech gurus gave the much needed nudge to get the plan rolling and in place.