Hearing Raises Concerns about Free Wi-Fi

by Beyond Chron (reposted)

Wed, Dec 14, 2005 7:01AM

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee held a hearing yesterday to listen to the public's concerns about San Francisco's Wireless Broadband Initiative,TechConnect, which was created by Gavin Newsom in August. A large number of local organizations convened to express themselves, including Caminos, The Media Alliance, and the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR). Overall, representatives from these and other groups present expressed concerns over privacy, potential health issues caused by radiation, and secrecy.

In addition, questions were raised about whether or not the Government has lost sight of one of its original goals: to bridge the digital divide that exists in San Francisco. The hearing was initiated by the Committee, according to Supervisor Chris Daly, for lack of any better community-based forum for discussion on the TechConnect initiative.

"If we had a CAC, it would have served to demystify this," said Daly to executive director of San Francisco's Telecommunications Department (DTIS) Chris Vein during the hearing. "Perhaps we wouldn't even be holding this meeting."

Vein's answers to the Supervisor's questions were not enough to satiate public concern.

"TechConnect is a strategy right now," Vein said in defense of the Mayor's initiative. During the public commentary, many speakers stated a need that is exactly the opposite of Vein's statement. The public wants more than just a strategy.

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