Somerville may install free wireless in Davis

[ceo]

From the Somerville Journal:

[John] Connolly also wants wireless Internet service for all of Davis Square.
The Ward 6 alderman is asking City Information Technology Director James Halloran to see if wireless Internet service can be provided to all of Davis Square by installing "a few well-situated" antennae.
"Perhaps it's something we can achieve by this fall," Connolly said.
Coffee shops, including Starbucks and the Diesel Café, already offer wireless Internet service inside their businesses for a nominal charge.
Connolly said he'd like Halloran to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and the Davis Square Business Interest Group to see if the service could be extended to laptop computer users sitting in parks and benches in the square.
If the service works in Davis Square, Connolly said maybe it could be brought to other squares in the city, too.

Comments

What Motivates Alderman Connolly?

[lena-a-mermaid.livejournal.com]

Why did Alderman Jack Connolly suddenly come up with this Free Wireless Idea? Could it be because he is running for re-election in the fall? Could it be that he has an opponent who is young and dynamic and likely to appeal to those folks who use wireless internet? Hmmm, let me think about that. Could it be that this was a plan already by the mayor’s office who threw Jack a bone by letting him use the introduction of the plan as a campaign strategy? Hmmm, don’t know.

As for free internet in the parks...I would love that. I would use it. Perhaps since our cable companies RCN and COMCAST are allowed to do business in this city as a privilege, that they could be convinced to offer the service outside as a community donation. Of course I doubt they’d give anything free unless forced.