EarthLink, Google Near Wireless Deal

[poster_boy]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Internet service provider EarthLink Inc. and search engine operator Google Inc. are close to reaching an agreement to build a wireless Internet network in San Francisco, according to a Dow Jones news report.

The two companies and the city have been negotiating for more than nine months, and a finalized deal, if presented, would still need approval from the city government.

An agreement on development of a Wi-Fi public network for the city could be announced as early as this week, but the story cited unnamed sources who said the deal could still fall apart.

Besides a free public network that is supported by advertisements, the companies want to offer a faster, commercial-free service for $20 a month, the article said.

Associated Press [biz.yahoo.com]

[H2dream]

Update:
SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) - EarthLink Inc. and Google Inc. have finalized a four-year deal to provide free wireless Internet service throughout San Francisco after seven months of sometimes-tense negotiations that stalled the city's effort to ensure all its residents, visitors and businesses have easy access to the Web.

Source [forexhelp.com]