Title
For the purpose of creating a citywide wireless broadband Internet access system, to bridge the digital divide, to increase the efficiency and reduce costs of government, and to promote economic development and tourism, authorizing the Managing Director, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a Management and Service agreement with Wireless Philadelphia, a Pennsylvania not-for-profit corporation, pursuant to which Wireless Philadelphia will provide management services relating to a citywide wireless broadband Internet access system and will develop and implement programs to bridge the digital divide, and to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development granting the Authority certain rights for the authorization of the placement of wireless communications equipment on certain municipally-owned street light fixtures; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, wireless technology offers broader access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service for residents of all income levels, as well as the City's many small businesses, to facilitate their progress and prosperity in a technology-driven world; and
WHEREAS, wireless technology offers an opportunity to make the Internet accessible to people and neighborhoods that are being left behind because of the "digital divide;" and
WHEREAS, a wireless network alone is insufficient to afford full computing technology accessibility to low income residents; rather programs focusing on hardware and software availability as well as education and training are also necessary; and
WHEREAS, pervasive, accessible, mobile, affordable high-speed wireless Internet access will promote economic development and tourism; and
WHEREAS, wireless technology offers an opportunity to reduce the costs and increase efficiency of government; and
WHEREAS, for all of these reasons, the City has determined that the...
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