Municipal WiFi systems have been shot down in many cities by intense lobbying against them from broadband providers. NYC will apparently avoid this problem by bringing broadband providers into the tent. Perhaps a broadband subscription will be required to get unlimited free access to the system, as was the case earlier with a WiFi system in NYC parks. (NYC is already bathed in municipal RF emissions from city agencies and utilities as documented in an odd little information packed website.)

An article on broadband providers jockeying for position in the new WiFi system:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Google, Verizon could be turning NYC payphones into WiFi hotspots
by Tom Huddleston, Jr. - July 21, 2014

The two were among the dozens of companies that expressed an interest in submitting proposals, due today, for a plan to transform New York’s public pay-phone kiosks into wireless internet access spots.

Proposals are due Monday for a plan to convert thousands of New York City pay-phone stalls into wireless access points, and several corporate giants, including Google and Verizon Wireless, could be among those looking to back the ambitious project.

Those companies were just two of about 60 who sent representatives to a pre-proposal informational gathering in May, where the city solicited proposals from groups looking to partner on a plan to transform New York’s public pay-phones into free WiFi hotspots that would offer city residents and visitors outdoor internet access, according to documents from the city’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT).

It is not known whether or not Google (GOOG) or Verizon Wireless (VZ) have submitted, or will submit, formal proposals to become a franchisee for the project. Neither company immediately responded to requests for comment. Other companies listed on the roster of attendees at the informational session two months ago include Cablevision (CVC) and Time Warner Cable (TWC) along with IBM, Samsung and Motorola Solutions (MSI).

~~~~~ CONTINUE AT: ~~~~~

http://fortune.com/2014/07/21/google-verizon-newyork-payphone-wifi/