Some San Francisco city managers see fiber as a key asset for the city, and are considering a proposal that would require workers to install fiber when conducting other road work. Specifically, the proposal would require the city's Department of Technology to install conduit for fiber cable whenever a trench is being dug for electrical or sewer work, reports the San Francisco Examiner.
By putting this requirement in place, the city would be able to expand its existing fiber network to provide free Wi-Fi service to local residents and businesses. The city's Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the "dig-once" proposal next week, the San Francisco Examiner reports.
Today, San Francisco has 140 miles of fiber conduit in place that connects police stations, office buildings and public-safety radio sites. San Francisco's Department of Technology is now moving to connect the city's health clinics and libraries.
Another motivator for the "dig-once" proposal is to increase city revenues from leasing the fiber. Already, the city leases its fiber network to medical and educational institutions for nearly $200,000 a year. San Francisco's Board of Supervisors President David Chiu and Chairman Scott Weiner said that they could increase the lease payments by extending fiber to more area businesses.
For more:
- San Francisco Examiner has this article
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