Wireless coverage in pipeline for Fairfax City

Fairfax city is now weighing proposals from firms vying to blanket the area in wireless coverage.

Officials hope to enter an agreement by the end of July with one of nine telecommunications companies bidding to provide the service across the city’s 6 1/4 square miles, said IT Department Director Gail Bohan.

She said the broadband Internet access won’t be offered free, expect possibly in parks and the amphitheater. Visitors would be allowed to purchase a day’s worth of access.

“We would hope it would be as low cost as they could do it, understanding that the companies have to make a pretty sizable investment,” she said.

She said almost all of the companies have offered to set up the necessary infrastructure at no cost to the city. The proposed fees vary from bidder to bidder.

The City of Alexandria is considering a similar plan.

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