AT&T disclosed its selection by Springfield, Illinois to offer WiFi for its residents. The deal, which still awaits approval from city council, proposes a mix of Wifi and WiMax technologies. Residents will be offered the increasingly familiar choice between free ad-based services or a faster connection with no advertising. Plans to offer wireless as an add-on for existing customers are also expected. The franchise is the first of what AT&T hopes to be many successful bids for providing municipal service. "We see this as a growth opportunity," said AT&T's Eric Shepcaro. "There are up to a dozen cities that we're actively pursuing."

According to the Springfield Register-Journal the city did not seek bids from other companies, AT&T made its pitch unsolicited. This alone would be a curious fact in most municipal proposals, its made more interesting when considering AT&T's efforts to stymy municipal fiber plans in the Illinois cities of Geneva, St. Charles, and Batavia. Peter Collins, the Geneva Information Systems Manager (and BBR member), chronicled the incumbent's PR push against a muni rollout in a June interview. Mr Collins also spoke on AT&T's attempt to circumvent the Illinois Level Playing Field Statute and sue the city for access as a video provider..

Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin, who announced the telco's selection, had expressed reluctance earlier this year towards offering a city-operated network. In a March council meeting Davlin said a citywide system would invite complaints from AT&T as well as other providers. There also appeared to be confusion between two different committees working on Wifi development. The proposed network, however, is to be built and maintained without taxpayer dollars according to the mayor. “The beauty of this proposal is that there will be no cost to the city," said Davlin. "In exchange for the use of City infrastructure and electricity, the City would have an opportunity to utilize the wireless capability for public services."