Chicago is the latest major U.S. city that plans to make wireless broadband citywide. The city already has hundreds of Wi-Fi hotspots in typical places that are familiar for people: libraries, coffee shops, and bookstores.
The city is now asking any interested technology companies to submit official proposals for the project. City officials have not yet announced any projected costs that users would have to pay for access to the Wi-Fi network after it has been completed. More details will be revealed when the city determines which companies will be involved with the development of the system.

Assuming everything falls into place as planned, the Chicago citywide Wi-Fi network could be running as soon as 2007, city officials said.

This news article was written on February 18, 2006, quoting Chicago Tribune.