Published: April 04, 2007 10:22 am      

Wireless in San Marcos

What new system may mean for Internet providers unclear

San Marcos — One of the city’s major commercial broadband Internet access providers is keeping a close eye on the fledgling effort to build a citywide wireless Internet access grid.

It is far too early to say how the wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, will affect the local Internet market and indeed Time Warner, Grande Communications and CenturyTel could end up as partners with the city on the project.

Time Warner officials have been watching the developments with interest, community relations manager Donna Hill said, and may consider submitting a proposal when specifications are set sometime this summer. At the same time, the prospect of government-subsidized competition in the Internet access business does not sit especially well with her, she said.

“I’m not real clear on how this is going to work, what kind of model they’re looking at. What it would do to our business, we don’t know yet. We certainly don’t want to give up our customers if they’re getting something free or low-cost because of the city funding. But we’re just waiting to see how it works out,” Hill said.

Officials at San Marcos-based Grande Communications and Monroe, La.-based CenturyTel could not be reached for comment.

Last month, the city hired a consultant for $180,000 to help solicit a private sector partner in the venture.

The company will help the city choose a provider, negotiate a contract and serve as project manager for installing the system. City leaders are hoping for private funding of most or all capital expenses.

A wireless mesh system like that being proposed would beam bandwidth from transmitters installed at regular intervals on utility poles, creating a virtual grid through which residents could tap into the World Wide Web.

A wireless system could save the city money by allowing for automated utility meter reading and improve public safety by sending and receiving real-time information to and from police and fire officials in the field, said John Cooper, president of MetroNetIQ, the consulting firm chosen by the city.

The company plans to hold at least six public forums in coming months as it develops the proposal request, he said.

“I hope the local providers are lining up to put in proposals,” Cooper said. “A lot of how this will affect the incumbent providers will depend on how they respond to it. It makes a lot of sense on a lot of levels for them to participate with the city on this.”

The consultant’s work will help determine how much the system will cost and who will pay for it, Cooper said.