TI set up with free Wi-Fi
By: John Upton
Examiner Staff Writer
October 27, 2009
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| Expanded access: Treasure Island residents will now have free wireless Internet access, thanks in part to a large donation of equipment by a South Bay-based software company. |
SAN FRANCISCO — Free wireless Internet access was recently switched on for residents of Treasure Island.
After a Mayor Gavin Newsom-led effort to blanket San Francisco with free wireless Internet access proved difficult, a South Bay-based software company donated wireless equipment to the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative.
The equipment has been installed by volunteers and city officials throughout the island, mainly on light poles.
Formerly homeless people are among the sparsely populated island’s 3,000 residents who are benefiting from the gift.
“We are proud to bring free Wi-Fi and computers to another underserved community in San Francisco,” Newsom said in a press release. “This new network will give residents the tools to participate in the new economy that will power America’s recovery.”
The wireless mesh technology is providing free Internet access in homes, a community center and outdoor spaces, according to Robyn Jenkins, spokeswoman for the Cisco Foundation, which donated the $170,000 worth of equipment.
“It’s a win-win [situation],” Treasure Island Development Authority Executive Director Mirian Saez said. “While it was one group who actually received the money, the whole community is benefiting from it.”
Meanwhile, limited free wireless Internet access continues to be provided in parts of the Mission, Alamo Square, Potrero and Noe Valley neighborhoods by San Francisco-based Meraki.
Nearly 400,000 devices are used annually to access the free service, which Meraki uses to help test its products, according to Executive Director Sanjit Biswas.
“The network is still up and running — we expand it in little bits,” Biswas said.
San Francisco has abandoned its plan to provide free wireless access to all city residents, but is forging ahead with plans to provide the service to public housing residents, according to an “accountability matrix” published recently by Newsom.
Free wireless Internet access is expected to be available to residents of 20 public-housing sites by the end of the year, according to the matrix.
jupton@sfexaminer.com
