SAN JOSE, Calif.-A 1,500 square-mile high-speed wireless data network covering Silicon Valley is being planned by the area’s civic and business leaders. A coalition called Smart Valley agreed to begin collecting bids for the wireless broadband network.
Smart Valley members include the San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, Intel Corp. and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, a high-tech civic group. The group said it envisions a broadband canopy that will increase wireless-enabled business development, improve government services and include applications for public safety and emergency response personnel.
“Silicon Valley is a hotbed of innovation in wireless technologies,” said Eric Benhamou, chairman of Smart Valley as well as Palm Inc., 3Com Corp. and Benhamou Global Ventures. “Establishing a ubiquitous network will enable the deployment of a new generation of broadband services for our entire community, including small businesses, schools, non-profits, and all the citizens of our region.”
Smart Valley said the San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority plans to issue a request for proposal on the project in April. SAMCAT represents 16 cities as well as San Mateo County. Intel was selected to develop the RFP and has agreed not to bid on the project.
Silicon Valley-based Google Inc. was selected in November to build an advertising-funded Wi-Fi network for its home town of Mountain View, Calif. Nearby, San Francisco is still mulling over proposals for a Wi-Fi network.
