ANN ARBOR ? Vendors who had hoped to bid last Thursday for a wireless Internet network that would span Washtenaw County instead were told they?d have to wait until the end of the month to file their proposals.
The Ann Arbor News reported the new Michigan Telecommunications Act expected to be signed into law soon by Gov. Jennifer Granholm prohibits municipalities from launching government operated Internet access. The provision was championed by the telecommunications industry fearful of government competition in what has become the hottest telecom market.
Washtenaw County officials have said they had no intention of owning and operating the wireless project, rather handing the management off to an authority made of business and government leaders.
James McFarlane, project manager of Wireless Washtenaw, said the bill stops municipalities from creating nonprofit authorities or advisory boards to manage the wireless system, which according to plans, would provide low-level free service as well as high-performing paid subscriptions to residents.
It will now be up to County Board of Commissioners to select a vendor or a group of companies partnering together, first to launch a pilot project and later to manage the entire system, he said.
McFarlane said the state regulations do not put the project in any jeopardy. He still expects some of the 23 companies that have expressed interest so far will subcontract with smaller vendors to cover the county’s 720 square miles.
