News / Wi-Fi
Silicon Valley develops regional Wi-Fi proposal
On 3 February 2006, Smart Valley, regional public bodies and Intel announced work on a request for proposals for a high-speed wireless network across Silicon Valley. The planned area stretched from Fremont to Gilroy, Santa Cruz and San Mateo.
A regional rather than city plan
The proposal sought a seamless system across many municipalities, while some local Wi-Fi projects were already taking shape. The source says a supplier would be chosen only after the request was issued and evaluated, with implementation then a target for the following year.
Public-service uses were central
The organisers envisaged field staff using wireless access for tasks such as incident response, inspections and infrastructure monitoring. It was a planning initiative, not evidence that a region-wide network had been built. Participation, procurement and practical sustainability remained conditions for any eventual service. The source records local enthusiasm but also leaves the final scope dependent on the procurement process.