San Francisco Wi-Fi Closer to Reality

San Francisco has asked nonprofit groups and businesses to begin submitting their ideas on how to make the city a free or low-cost Wi-Fi hotspot -- all 49 square miles of it.

The city government wants to "ensure universal, affordable wireless broadband access for all San Franciscans," and issued guidelines on Tuesday for submissions. The city has also secured deals from computer manufacturers such as Dell to ensure that thousands of computers would make it into low-income neighborhoods, a hallmark of the plan.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says such a move would be unprecedented as most cities looking to build Wi-Fi networks are only providing the service, but not the equipment as well.

In the United States, Philadelphia is closest to being the first wireless city, however Portland, Minneapolis, Charleston and Orlando are not far behind. Of those cities, Philly would be the largest hotspot, covering some 135 square miles.

Smaller cities across the nation including Lompoc, Hermosa Beach and Cupertino in California have already been able to set up wireless networks.

Reponses to Newsom's call for submissions will be due in six weeks, with a plan developed by early next year.