Emerging as the pioneer city with its unique domain, New York unveils an ambitious plan to roll out the largest free Wi-Fi network in the United States on 10-12.

Upon completion, the Harlem Wi-Fi Network will stand as the largest outdoor Wi-Fi network in the U.S., catering to nearly 80,000 residents and tourists in Harlem.
As announced on 10-12 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Harlem Wi-Fi network is entirely free, providing continuous service 24/7, with a minimum speed of 2mbits and will cover the entire area between 110th and 138th streets, between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Madison Avenue, encompassing nearly 100 city blocks. The initial coverage phase will be completed by the end of December, the second phase ending in February, and the final phase will be completed in May 2014.
To deploy the Harlem Wi-Fi Network, the city government collaborated with Harlem Children’s Zone and Sky-Packets (technology solution provider), funded through a public-private partnership with the Fuhrman Family Foundation (FFF). The concept of wireless coverage for Harlem originated from two Fuhrman family members, Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman.
According to representatives from the city of New York, this free wireless network is not intended to replace paid wired networks provided by companies like Time Warner Cable. It is purely a public service, not aimed at competing with cable network providers.
This marks the latest move by Mayor Bloomberg to enhance wireless connectivity in the city, a project that has been unfolding over the past few years. In late September, Mayor Bloomberg announced a series of new public Wi-Fi networks installed across the five boroughs, aiming to create development spaces that attract entrepreneurs and startups.
In 2012, the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications transformed some phone booths into Wi-Fi hotspots. Additionally, in 2011, New York collaborated with AT&T to provide free Wi-Fi in 20 parks throughout the city.
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Source: Mytour Travel Guide – According to Tuổi trẻ
MytourDecember 11, 2013