Posted on 05/30/2006 10:13:45 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
(CBS) CHICAGO -- Someday soon, anyone might be able to log onto the Internet from anyplace in Chicago for free.
CBS 2's Jon Duncanson explains Mayor Daley's latest high-tech dream for his world-class city.
It's an effort to push Chicago to the front of the pack of the digital age and to make the city one big hot spot for little or no cost to consumers.
"Wireless technology is getting cheaper and cheaper, so now it's feasible for a city the size of Chicago to provide it at relatively low cost and make it available to pretty much everyone," said the Citizen Utility Board's David Kolata.
That's exactly what Mayor Daley has in mind in officially asking for proposals from private sector companies to make Chicago a wireless wonderland.
The city is issuing a request for proposals for private-sector partners to provide Internet access throughout the city, including free wireless service in schools, parks and major public gathering places, according to a release from the Mayor’s office.
Daley also offered $250,000 in grants to help community groups come up with innovative ways to help close the digital divide, and appointed an advisory panel to make further recommendations on the matter, the release said.
"Basically we'll be the first major city to move ahead in this digital divide. No other city's done that in America," Daley said.
Other cities – including Philadelphia and San Francisco – are moving in the same direction.
The mayor wants to target children in schools so that so-called digital divide between Internet haves and have-nots evaporates and everyone has equal access to the Internet.
The mayor said according to one estimate, though Internet use is on the rise among most Americans, 80 percent of households with incomes below $50,000 per year remain unconnected.
David Kolata of the consumer advocacy group Citizen's Utility Board applauds the move.
"There really is a digital divide out there. We need to bridge that digital divide in order to move forward as a city and really to encourage economic development," he said.
Technical hurdles exist, but the mayor seems set on constructing the groundwork for the next step of the Internet revolution.
Under Daley’s plan, the city will partner with a private firm or consortium to develop and deploy a high-speed, wireless network, the release said. The city could offer long-term use of its infrastructure, such as street lights and lamp poles, and if necessary, broker agreements with sister agencies and local utilities, the release said.
The private partner, according to the release, would provide: -- affordable, universal Internet access reaching every neighborhood; -- free hot spots in every Chicago Public Schools -- free access in parks and other public places, such as museum campuses, the lakefront and other neighborhood destinations; -- affordable computers and meaningful applications to low-income Chicagoans.
"High speed Internet is really the road of the 21st century. It's essential for economic development," said Kolata.
In case you didn't know, Chicago already has several Internet wireless hot spots. You can access them with your laptop in Daley Plaza, Millennium Park or any public library.
Some local cable companies and phone companies that provide Internet access are fighting the move.
To heck with "free" Internet access. How 'bout some free gasoline.
Nothing that has value is free.....
I mean, seriously. If low-income people can afford fancy automobile accessories and designer clothing, surely they can afford broadband Internet without Daley holding their hands right.
I have a great idea. How about we digitize all of the Chicago Library's holdings, put them online for Chicago residents, shut down the homeless shelters they call "libraries" there, and then use the money that *was* paying for those buildings, staff and collections to fund this internet project? It would be far more cost effective, people wouldn't have to waste fuel or time going to a library, and everyone would have access to it!
Bet the librarians' union wouldn't like it, though. And, of course, the effective use of resources *isn't* why this idiot wants free internet for everyone.
Haw about some free tolls on the hi-way? :)
Who's going to provide the puters and software etc? Let me guess...Joe Q. Public, Taxpayer at large.
They want "free" internet/wireless, and for the UN to take over control of the internet. That way, they can broadcast Big Socialist Brother 24/7/365.
A $19 wireless card can change that for most people.
Now if I could only get free Satelite TV and NFL Sunday Ticket.
To a younger generation ill educated by the public schools, closing the digital divide is a euphemism for more pornography, more pirating of movies and music. Actually, I could care less about the pirating if no one should have to pay for the stuff they put out as movies and music today.
Would you like that free broadband with a side of total prohibition on private gun ownership .....really they taste great together ...just ask the PR of China .....
Long Beach Ca. Has done this, Covers most of the city I been to.
http://www.longbeach.gov/ecd/technology/hot_zone
Prepare to grab the ankles Illinois!
:)
Some Leftist judge will find it there, or if not, since it is in Scottish or Zimbwae law, then it should be here.
I wonder how much it will cost. Probably not all that much. Could be worthwhile. I know the knee jerk freeper response is against even the most modest government spending, but of all the things the city of Chicago is going to burn money on, wireless internet would likely be among the cheapest and most useful.
Why of course, the taxpayers should buy computers for them!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.