Supes Move on Wi-Fi Plan, But Will it Bridge Digital Divide?

The last point is crucial, because the plan’s current standards have raised legitimate questions about whether it will truly address the digital divide. And Google – who will sub-contract with Earthlink to install the antennas – has a questionable track record when it comes to under-served communities. The adjacent map shows Google’s new “Street View” feature that lets you zoom in on daily street activities in San Francisco. Notice that it currently does not include anything south of Cesar Chavez Avenue – including Bayview-Hunters Point and the Excelsior.

When Mayor Newsom brought his Wi-Fi proposal to City Hall, he urged the Board of Supervisors to “make amendments” if they had problems with it – but not to oppose this “fundamental component of addressing the digital divide.” This was a marked departure from his prior “take-it-or-leave-it” approach, and yesterday the Supervisors were pleased that some type of compromise was in the works. “There’s got to be a team effort,” said Tom Ammiano. “The Giants are more than Barry Bonds.”

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