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

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."

Comments

And it will be called...

[mariox19]

Hipster Web.

Re:Small problem

[ackthpt]

Dear Google,

How do you plan on overcoming internet dropping out for blocks around everytime someone wants to make some hot pockets?

Sincerely,
Unregulated Spectrum

The relays will be running at enough power to cook a passing pigeon, so there's also the bonus of feeding street people nourishing hot meals.

also, if you stay in the area long enough you won't need a tanning bed!

Re:Should read, "Only part of Chelsea"

[Anonymous Coward]

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