Here's the details:
-Earthlink will build the infrastructure and Google will provide the service. So look for an influx of [email protected] accounts
-The speed will be 300 kilobits. That's much faster than dial-up but not as fast as DSL (around 700 kbps) or cable (over 1000). That'll mean you can do some web surfing (but slowly) and check out e-mail. Downloading porn will probably not be an option.
-If that's not fast enough for ya, you can pay an extra $21.95 per month for 1 megabit per second. Some qualifying low-income people will get high speed internet access at a reduced rate.
-EarthLink will pay the city a little over a $1 million to build the thing as well as 5% of all revenue generated. The amount of revenue expected to be generated is a paltry $300,000.
-"Minimal standards" of privacy. Make that what you will

You can read the entire agreement on SFGate's NWZCHIK's blog.

Up next comes approval from the Board of Supes. And yes, this is where the magic happens. Jake McGoldrick is already complaining about the amount of money the city will make off the deal, saying we should be making more. He also called for a report on other Wi-Fi options, one that will be ready next week.

But look for the debate to be more along the lines of the ole public vs. private debate. The Bay Guardian is calling for the city to run the Wi-Fi operation, saying it's pretty much the same thing as roads or public transportation. Which is a good point, but have you seen the pot holes on Valencia Street? The city will also possibly make more money if they run it themselves. Warns McGoldrick: we shouldn't "give up the multibillion-dollar public asset and hand it over for just a few crumbs." There's also some discussion on whether the speed is really fair to people who can't afford it because, well, have you tried to surf the web on a slow connection? On the other hand, it is f-r-e-e.

The Board is expected to take up the issue come February.

Picture from the Examiner