Everyone is now able to connect to the internet in downtown, thanks to the Town of Wake Forest
Free downtown wi-fi now makes it possible for residents and visitors to use the Internet outdoors along portions of South White Street, South Brooks Street and South Taylor Street using their smart phones, tablets and laptops. The network is not designed to penetrate through buildings, so users will be unable to access the Internet in their homes or businesses via wi-fi.
Internet connectivity is strongest in the vicinity of the following access points, installed on various downtown facilities and utility poles:
- Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street
- Wake Forest Police Department Main Station, 225 South Taylor Street
- Wake Forest Police Department Substation, 221 Brooks Street
- Wake Forest Town Hall (Brooks Street and Taylor Street entrances), 301 Brooks Street
- Town of Wake Forest Facilities Building, 301 Brooks Street
- Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 South White Street
- B&W Hardware, 232 South White Street
- Wake Forest Coffee Co., 156 South White Street
- Backfin’s, 110 South White Street
- Wake Forest Bus Service Park and Ride Lot, intersection of South White Street and Elm Avenue
Users can access the wi-fi without a password. After selecting the network – TWFPublic – users will be required to read and accept the user policy. From there, they will be free to roam the Internet. However, content filters are in place to restrict users from accessing certain websites.
Access to the wi-fi service is free for up to 90 minutes after which time users will be required to repeat the log in process. The total cost to the town was approximately $26,000.
By providing free WiFi service in downtown Wake Forest, the Town has addressed Objective G in Goal 2 of the town’s strategic plan: Promote the use of technology to enhance our community.
For more information, contact Chief Information Officer Tom LaBarge at 919-435-9501 or tlabarge@wakeforestnc.gov.
4 Responses
Government Using tax payer money to compete with private business. TWC should bring a lawsuit.
Total cost was $26,000?!?! Good lord. Time Warner charges $49 for 200Mbps. Even if every one of those access points was its own account, $26,000 would pay for that for over 5 years! Who does the math and approval on things like this? Is there ongoing cost or $26k pays for it from now to eternity??
I’d be interested how much this will be utilized. In times of smartphones and data plans, I see little need for it. That is different in major international tourism centers, but downtown WF? Better focus on progress with residential Fiber, please.
It’s not free if taxpayers are paying for it. It’s kind of forced expense. And completely unnecessary.