It goes without saying that this development is obviously HUGE for the citywide wireless
network movement going on in the U.S.
Yesterday, Google and EarthLink 
announced they submitted a joint proposal to create a citywide wireless network for the city of San
Francisco. It was one of six proposals submitted to the TechConnect initiative leaders. The project
panel will review all bids and submit recommendations by April.
This certainly is an interesting development. As has been reported here many times over the last year, EarthLink is arguably the leader in developing and deploying wireless networks, having scored some of the biggest projects already. A few months ago, Google offered to build the network in San Francisco for free, so this news definitely comes out of left field.
The big question is: Why? Why would these two rivals join together to do this? This certainly needs further exploration.
Ed. note: The Wireless Report has been contacted by a PR representative from EarthLink and we are looking to schedule an interview to get more information on this development. Stay tuned as we dig for the details.
1. Well that's an easy why: Earthlink gets Google's popularity and media love, Google gets Earthlink's knowledge in setting up wi-fi networks and tech support, and both get to split the cost on this and many future city wide wi-fi deals.
It's a win win for both, because they know this isn't the last city they will fight for, so why fight when you can easily take over them all together?
Posted at 2:49PM on Feb 22nd 2006 by Sean DL