Silicon Valley has chosen MetroConnect, a coalition involving IBM Corp., Cisco Systems Inc. and wireless Internet firms Azulstar and SeaKay, to provide wireless Internet coverage to most of the area. Under the contract, the group will shoulder the costs of developing the massive hotspot spanning over 1,000 square miles of Silicon Valley. Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network expects MetroConnect to start building antenna towers as early as January 2007 and offer Internet service, which will range from a basic free service to paid subscription starting at $20 per month, within 12 months to 18 months thereafter. Seth Fearey, vice president and chief operations officer for Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network, said municipalities that immediately approve the proposal will be on the roster of areas that will get the service first.
Via [bizjournals.com]