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Google Wiring New York City's Chelsea For Free Wi-Fi

Posted by Soulskill on from the now-do-the-rest-of-the-country dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes "On the heels of rolling out high-speed broadband to Kansas City, Google is bringing more connectivity to another American municipality: New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, which will receive Wi-Fi in outdoor areas courtesy of the search-engine giant. The free Internet zone will encompass an area between 8th Avenue and the West Side Highway on the East-West access, and 19th Street and Gansevoort Street on the North-South. It will cost $115,000 to build and $45,000 a year to maintain, according to Bloomberg, with costs split between Google and a nonprofit neighborhood development group. Internet access will come free of advertising, aside from a provider message from Google, and not require any sort of password. Under mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City has encouraged the development of a sizable tech sector; in addition to dozens of startups, Google and other behemoths have opened headquarters in Manhattan. In theory, this 'Silicon Alley' will contribute mightily to the city's tax base and diversify the local economy."

4 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Should read, "Only part of Chelsea" by smooth+wombat · · Score: 3, Informative

    Chelsea is much larger than what the article relates. It encompasses the area (roughly) from 9th St (and that weird triangle area with Gansevoort) up to about 28th and from 5th Avenue to 12th (there is a 13th Ave but it's no longer accessible).

    As someone further up suggested, Hipster Web.

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
    1. Re:Should read, "Only part of Chelsea" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      It's also not a coincidence that their New York Headquarters is right in the middle of that neighborhood...

    2. Re:Should read, "Only part of Chelsea" by LordNicholas · · Score: 3, Informative

      This. Their NYC offices are the in the old Port Authority building at 111 8th avenue. Apparently they bought that particular building because there's a major fiber line that runs through it.

      Source: I used to work out of the building before Google bought it.

  2. Re:Tracking by alphatel · · Score: 3, Informative

    While it says that it will come free from advertising, it DOESN'T say that you won't be monitored while connected. I'm certain they will recoup costs this way. Nothing is ever free.

    Encrypt your communications, no reason you shouldn't whenever you use wireless, free or otherwise.

    --
    When the foot seeks the place of the head, the line is crossed. Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe.