New York City Launches Nation's Largest Free Public Wi-Fi Network

In a new step to improve the city's Internet access, especially in lower income areas, New York City has announced the launch of what will be the nation's biggest Wi-Fi network, which will blanket 95 blocks of Harlem.

It is simply called the Harlem Wi-Fi Network and once completed, it will be the largest outdoor Wi-Fi network in the United States, serving approximately 80,000 Harlem residents, New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The network will be completely free of charge, have speeds of at least 2mbits and will cover the area from 110th to 138th streets, between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Madison Avenue. The first phase of the network's rollout will be completed by the end of December, and officials said the last phase will be finished by May 2014 Read more...