Wireless Philly

A Smoke-Filled Room reported on the city's wireless bidding process. The Wall Street Journal also has an article on that subject today (p. B3). It reports that customers will get the service free for the first year while th winning company builds the wireless network, after that the standard monthly fee will be less than $20, with lower fees for the disadvantated and lower-income residents. The two finalists in the bidding are Earthlink and Hewlett-Packard. The WSJ says a third company, Intel, is helping set up pilot wireless programs in 13 cities to "improve the communications of meter readers, building inspectors, police and fire companies."