Google, EarthLink Join on San Fran Wi-Fi

EarthLink said Wednesday that it had joined forces with Google to submit a proposal to build a public Wi-Fi network in the city of San Francisco. The plan calls for a two-tier business model, with a free network operated by the search giant, and a faster fee-based service operated by EarthLink.

Both companies had submitted proposals during a six-week period in August and September of last year. However, EarthLink planned to offer a paid service, as it will in Philadelphia and Anaheim, while Google proposed a free citywide network.

Instead, the two have decided to join forces to build out the network together, thus decreasing the cost of operation for both companies.

"By coming together to leverage the strengths of both companies, we will be able to offer services to different customers on the network that fit with their own individual needs and wants," EarthLink executive vice president Donald Berryman said in a statement.

Berryman explained that the proposal fits in with the ISP's vision for municipal wireless networks: they should be open access and not tied to a particular provider. In all cases, Wi-Fi networks proposed by EarthLink contain a provision where bandwidth on the network can be resold to third-party vendors at a competitive price.

"Today's joint RFP submission with Google demonstrates EarthLink's commitment to bring next-generation broadband access and services to consumers across a number of different platforms," an EarthLink spokesperson told BetaNews.

Google could not be reached for comment by press time.