D.C. prepares to ask for bids for "most" of the city: A Wi-Fi network contract will be awarded to the firm that does the most for the least-advantaged residents, including offering free access, computers, and training. There apparently won't be a requirement for full coverage, although the mayor expects the incentives will be there. The franchise will last eight years, and cover lightposts and building access, as well as some fiber-optic access. No tax dollars are involved, officials stated in this Washington Post article. An interesting twist: the winning bidder could serve low-income residents by wire instead of wireless. And the speed requirement is very slow: 500 Kbps downstream, 150 Kbps upstream. [Link via Esme Vos]
NeoReach extends to Gilbert, Ariz.: NeoReach (operated by MobilePro) has a network in Tempe and one under construction in Chandler. The adjacent city of Gilbert will add 76 square miles for a contiguous total network area of 187 square miles. I've been quoted in print media recently noting that Tempe at 40 square miles took the title as largest citywide network--that network is "substantially" complete as of March 1. With the addition of Chandler, they would dwarf the next largest network. Add in Gilbert, and they'll hold the title for largest area in a city network for at least a year and maybe two. Assuming other nearby suburbs in the sprawl around Phoenix don't ask to be admitted, too. And then there's Phoenix, suspiciously quiet at the moment. The Gilbert network will start rolling out June 1 and be finished in 2006.
Miami Beach awards IBM contract for free Wi-Fi service: The $5 million network will be paid out of city funds, remarkably, and cover seven square miles, with a commitment of access only up to the third floor--which is a problem in a town of high-rise apartments. I'm a little stunned by this one because I know of no city that would willingly put out this kind of money. IBM will give public schools 30 computers and sell computers "at a discount" to residents, but since IBM doesn't make computers any more, I'm not sure which company's products they'll offer. A local wireless service provider seems hopping mad, and notes that 50 to 80 percent of residents won't have access to this network.
Buffalo, Batavia receive state funds for Wi-Fi expansion: Two projects received matching dollars totaling about $350,000 for expanding Wi-Fi access. Buffalo will add more areas of free service. $1.4 million in matching funds will be distributed to 29 communities via High-Tech Initiative for New York.