Boston Business Journal

October 16, 2006 Monday

WiFi network closer to reality in Boston

The city of Boston, which is working on plans to eventually create a city-wide wifi network, took a small step in that direction today.

At a press conference, Mayor Thomas Menino was slated to unveil two free Internet hotspots, one in Quincy Market and another at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, near Long Wharf.

A mayoral task force recently recommended Boston designate a nonprofit to build a citywide network that would act as a wholesale Internet provider, allowing a number of Internet service providers inturn to offer the service to customers.

Galaxy Internet Services and SkyPilot donated the service and equipment for the Quincy Market hotspot, which will also cover nearby City Hall Plaza, while The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 helped install the radio equipment. The Columbus Park hotspot was developed by Verizon, Cisco, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Boston Parks Department.

The report is online at www.cityofboston.gov/wireless/