Sooner or later, I think wireless Internet connectivity is going to be fairly ubiquitous and generally treated like a utility. Richmond is making steps in that direction with the opening of a “free” wireless hot spot in the center of the city. (I put the word “free” in scare-quotes because, I recognize, nothing is free; just the method of payment shifts around.)
The Center City Wi-Fi District will provide free wireless Internet access to businesses, retailers, students, residents and visitors in an area encompassing the city’s central business district. Also included in the network are the Historic Depot District and the Old Richmond District.
The Wi-Fi initiative was made possible with the support of Summit Computers, Parallax Systems, Urban Enterprise Zone, Main Street Richmond Wayne County, and Belden Wire and Cable. The Center City Wi-Fi Network was designed and constructed by Parallax and Summit Computers.
It’s believed to be the largest free Wi-Fi hot spot in Indiana.
It’s about time. Cheap and available broadband helps business growth as much (if not more) than a good sewer or water system. More to the point, people expect the other utilities to just work, so having something like this can draw businesses in without the typical tax breaks they normally give to new businesses at the expense of the existing ones.
Put this in, and you draw new people and help out the existing. Why are we not doing this everywhere?
Belden Wire and Cable is one of the corporations that has been good to Richmond throughout the years. I’m glad to see them investing in the 21st century improvements in my hometown!
Meanwhile, hotels and airports seems to be going the other direction. On previous trips I’ve been able to get some free wireless in airports. This time, Ronald Reagan Gipper National Intercontinental Ballistic Airport wanted me to pay. The Hilton at Tysons Corner outside D.C. wanted $12.95 per DAY. Nuts.
Captive market. I think the Indianapolis Convention Center charges something like $10/day.
Depends which airport and which hotel. Miami’s airport charged for internet, but the airports in Ecuador (!) had it free. Hilton hotels charge extra for everything. Most of the other chains offer wireless for free. I haven’t been back to a Hilton hotel in three years, when my wife attended a conference there. Then again, they cater to business travelers with expense accounts. Me, otoh…
Hm.. why is Richmond ahead of Lafayette/West Lafayette? How do we get ourselves in the “hot spot”?
@ Hoosier 1st: That’s “prolly” the only area in which Richmond is ahead of West Lafayette.
;-)
Actually, this has been talked about for a long time. Good to see that it is finally ready. There have been rumblings that Parallax may not be around much longer (hope that is NOT true). I hope that the fate of the hot spot is not tied to whatever may happen to Parallax.