What would be the network standard be? Many areas have Wi-Fi, but the industry is on the verge of WiMax, and Intel has a pre-WiMax. By the time we implemented this network, we'll probably see computers equipped to transmit with WiMax.

When is this envisioned? We could be running in '08.

Many carriers object to efforts by governments that want to build or operate wireless systems, saying it can cannibalize their business. I assume you have a powerful carrier lobby in South Carolina. We do, but we are not interested in putting the private sector at risk. Anyway, the government wouldn't stay on the cutting edge of technology on its own. After three years, you have to recycle many technologies, so that's not a smart move.

Would some of the service be free? If we can leverage state assets with private vendors to give one level of free service, they could offer others that cost. Today, carriers offer DSL to the home, with 1.5Mbit/sec., 3Mbit/sec. and 6Mbit/sec. service levels, with different costs. We are telling the carrier representatives to go back to your company and ask what needs to be offered to make this work. Is it online advertising, or the ability to charge for a higher speed to compensate for any free service? So, the state would be a landlord so to speak, with the private sector as the operator. We're looking for a win-win solution, and I'm hoping the private vendors go back to figure out a way.

A lot of the fact-finding has already occurred? We've already talked to Cisco, Intel, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Georgia and others and have pursued the idea of federal dollars.