What may have started as a single retailer WiFi hotspot offering idea is quickly expanding to encompass entire towns and cities. It seems that adding WiFi as part of the incentive for living and doing business in the locale, is in itself, an excellent marketing plan and the cost is offset with not only in the relocation of new businesses but an uptick in residents that want to live there.
Known as municipal ‘Hotzones’ the number of towns adopting the technology is growing fast. There is ‘gold’ in the idea of providing low-cost, fast internet access on a city wide scale and while it is assumed that only the large cities would jump into this type of forward thinking investment, there are a number of smaller towns as well. Some of the latest WiFi technologies bring an incredible array of features that benefit those that add the service. The era has gone beyond just the standard ‘connectivity’ and entered into a vertical that includes analytics, reporting and control. In other words, adding a hotzone is a town marketer’s dream.
Arcata, California: 300 miles north of San Francisco, with a population of 17,231, this is a college town, which makes it a no-brainer when it comes to WiFi. When a study was done on the amount of time normally spent on the net, it resulted in an 84% accessibility, with downtime only during bus and transit centers. They successfully accommodated that need, to the joy and happiness of residents and students alike.
Peachtree City, Georgia: This is a golfer’s haven, with a population of 34,364 people and over 9,000 of the residents own golf carts that travel the ninety miles of multi-use paths. They offer free WiFi in a variety of facilities throughout the town for visitors and citizens.
Marion, Illinois: Although they have a population of 17,193, Marion has been an early adopter of WiFi, with plans that began before many others. Their design of the most cost-effective services come in at less than half of the cost of other cities, with free public services around the town square and plans to expand to include their emergency service responders.
Amherst, Massachusetts: The population of 37,819 people take pride in the fact that Amherst has the largest and fastest WiFi network in the entire state. They currently have the entire downtown area covered for the network, but have lofty plans for expansion.
Rockport, Maine: This may be the smallest town on the list, with a population of 3,317, they are quite aware of the low ranking that Maine has for broadband accessibility and are spearheading a movement of change for the state. Known as a beautiful coastal tourist town, Rockport has started our small, but their connection to the statewide fiber network will allow others in the area to establish hotspots.
Fenton, Michigan: The population of 11,756 has had the unique situation of being supported with municipal WiFi by their local internet service provider, free of charge to the citizens, since 2004. Tri-County Wireless has installed the highest quality hardware and software to incorporate not only the town, but parks, properties and even parking lots. The benefits to Rockport? The revenue keeps flowing in as more people show up.
Newton, North Carolina: Another early adopter, Newton’s 12,968 residents know that their town was the first to have municipal WiFi in all of North Carolina. The service includes the entire downtown area for outdoor access and many of the retailers and establishments also offer WiFi as well.
Powell, Ohio: The 11,960 people in Powell have the ability to tout that their town was one of the first to add a municipal WiFi program in Ohio. They gladly offer their service to the entire downtown area and many of the retailers and restaurants have added their locations as hotspots.
Ponca City, Oklahoma: Known as the ‘most prolific municipal WiFi initiatives in the country’, Ponca City has a population of 25,389 people that enjoy a world-class Wi-Fi network that is free to everyone, covering a twenty five square mile radius. Although at first glance, this lovely town may not appear to be a high tech center, they have proven otherwise.
Burlington, Vermont: There are three universities in Burlington with a fourth located not too far away, as well as a population of 42,417 people. This is another case of need outweighing the budget and Burlington Telecom stepped up to the plate, bringing free hotspots throughout the city.
As the cost of the technologies are slowly reduced it will soon become apparent to many other towns that offering municipal WiFi is the next logical step to encourage productivity and continued revenue streams for their locations. As each town adds their name to the list, it may not be a surprise to see a blossoming national network