Proposals sought for regional wireless network Proposals sought for regional wireless network (February 01, 2006)

By Rory Brown

Almanac Staff Writer

A 1,500-square-mile network that would give thousands of Silicon Valley residents and employees wireless Internet service is changing from a conceptual project to a mission.

Now Menlo Park has to decide whether it will join the initiative.

Intel Corp. agreed January 26 to prepare a request for proposals for a wireless network that might cover San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and Santa Cruz counties.

The project is being organized by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, a coalition of business and government officials, and the San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, a joint-powers authority that represents 17 of the county's cities, including Woodside and Portola Valley.

Some proposals may provide free service, and others, fee-based service.

Five cities have signed onto the project, including Santa Cruz and Morgan Hill, said Seth Fearey, a Joint Venture vice president. San Jose is also "very interested" in joining, he said.

The backers are seeking financial contributions from an additional 26 cities and counties, including Menlo Park.

Menlo Park hasn't officially hopped onboard, but city staff say joining a broad network is a better option than contracting with a company to set up a smaller, citywide network.

"We'd be making a mistake if we pursued a me-first policy," said David Johnson, Menlo Park's business development manager. "We need a regional solution. The wireless connection shouldn't just be a patchwork across Silicon Valley. It needs to be consistent."

For Menlo Park to join the project, the City Council will have to put it on its list of priorities for 2006 at its priority-setting session in March, said Mr. Johnson.

If Menlo Park joins, the city will be asked to contribute $2,500 toward developing a request for proposal. The city hopes to make that contribution by means of corporate sponsors, not the city's general fund, said Mr. Johnson.

City Manager David Boesch says the city "has assumed wireless service is of general value to the community," and representatives from other Silicon Valley cities and businesses agree.

"Wireless Silicon Valley has the potential to revolutionize the way city and county services are provided, said Brian Moura, chair of the authority and assistant city manager of San Carlos in a press release.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.