The Financial Times' Delphine Strauss reports that Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris (this one -- not this one, this one or this one) says he wants the city to have universal wireless coverage, as well as a rapid expansion of its high-speed fiber optic network.

"We can't leave Asian cities like Seoul or Tokyo, or American cities like San Francisco or Philadelphia, to make the running in digital matters," Delanoë said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The plan is to install 400 free Wi-Fi access points in public spaces -- parks, libraries and town halls.

"This is a decisive tool for international competition, and so important for the city," Delanoë said.

According to Reuters, the plan is to have the network up and running by the end of 2007.