Organization Looking To Blanket Silicon Valley With Wireless NetworkOrganization Looking To Blanket Silicon Valley With Wireless Network

Smart Valley, an initiative that has the support of Intel Corp., is getting ready to seek offers from companies interested in designing a high-speed wireless data network that would cover California's high-tech Mecca Silicon Valley.

The organization, which also includes the Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and the San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, said this week that it had signed an agreement to develop a request for proposal for the project.

The Smart Valley initiative envisions a broadband canopy covering a 1,500 square mile area stretching from Fremont in the East Bay, south to Gilroy, over the hill to Santa Cruz, and up the Peninsula to San Mateo.

The initiative's Wireless Silicon Valley Task Force selected Intel to develop the RFP. In addition, the chipmaker would provide consulting services as an in-kind contribution. The task force plans to release the RFP in April. Intel has agreed not to submit its own proposal.

The RFP will be issued by the San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, which represents 16 cities and San Mateo County. Smart Valley is also seeking financial contributions to develop the RFP from an additional 26 Silicon Valley cities and counties.