Thursday, April 30, 2009

Seattle's Free WiFi Pilot Program Four Years Old

Seattle's Free WiFi

Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I've heard about the city's free wi fi pilot program started in 2005, hot spots we citizen's help fund through tax $ in partnership with neighborhood business associations who help with utility costs so anyone can access the internet. I was fuzzy on where these locations actually were and happened into this one on S Rainier Avenue, which was an original location along with University Avenue, several parks, and uh, the lobby of City Hall. . .I guess our mayor and city council members need wifi access, but I wonder who else would actually go to the city hall lobby with their laptop? :-) Maybe there's a wide radius for reception around the building. I've never seen these signs before anywhere around town. I hope the merchant association in my neighborhood lobbies to expand the program out our way. Here's a link to all the details of the program and current locations and reports on how the pilot program is going and a possible broadband project.

4 comments:

Virginia said...

I swear my speed reading just isn't what it use to be. I thought your title said "Free Internet FOR Four Year Olds!" I kept reading to see when you would mention a nursery school of kiddos surfing the net!HA I even expected another photo showing them with their chubby little fingers ordering candy online! NOW I see. What a great thing your fine city is doing. Thanks for the info!
V

Buenos Aires Photoblog said...

I think free wifi hot spots are a great thing. I hope this will inspire more cities to go in Seattle's footsteps.

Clueless in Boston said...

Free WiFi is a great idea, but I bet it is one of the first things cut, after libraries in the current recession.

Pat said...

I'm all for free Internet. I have heard that a major coffee chain charges their customers for Internet connection....if this is so, I'm not downing anymore lattes there.