City to expand wireless Internet
by Byron Kho
The Daily Pennsylvanian
September 15, 2004
In an enthusiastic ceremony at the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday afternoon, Mayor John Street announced an expansion of Wireless Philadelphia, an ambitious plan to provide free wireless Internet access to all 135 square miles of the city.
The newly expanded coverage area extends up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway past the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and up Kelly Drive toward Lloyd Hall. The site was chosen to leverage the investment from this summer's Love Park wireless installation, as it is a major corridor for social events, according to Dianah Neff, the city's chief information officer.
Along with current wireless locations at Love Park, Reading Terminal Market, the Convention Center and Headhouse Square, the newest implementation allows Philadelphia residents, visitors and businesses an even greater capacity in which to stay connected.
"Philadelphia is one of the few areas in the country offering free continuous Internet access in a hot spot almost a mile long," Street said.
Requiring only wireless/Wi-Fi-enabled computers, users can check their mail, surf the Web and make phone calls using Voice-over-IP, a communication system that uses the Internet rather than land-based phone lines.
It is hoped that residents and visitors alike can utilize these free public services in order to promote the economic and technological goals that Street has outlined for the city since the beginning of his term.
"The mayor had marked goals for neighborhood transformation -- we wanted to create a digital infrastructure for business, schools and community organizations," said Luz Cardenas, spokeswoman for Street.
"Wireless technology is broad and inclusive, and it can help us make Philadelphia a digital city, a one-stop shop."
Future projects for Wireless Philadelphia include expansions of wireless access to Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's Navy Yard and Washington, Franklin and Rittenhouse Squares.
"These open urban spaces define Philadelphia, and we are changing the character of these spaces so that people can stay longer and remain connected to what has become for many an essential service," Street said.