Is Free Wireless Internet Service in The City Of Mobile's Future?

A recent article by the City of Mobile Press Register reported that Mayor Sam Jones had given a directive to the telecommunications and technology departments to look into the plausibility of providing free wireless internet service in downtown Mobile. According to Mayor Jones "That's something we consider a priority. A lot of people are interested in having broadband access.... It would be a selling point for Mobile." Apparently the mayor realizes the potential benefit to business users, and the social impact for our young people.

Currently and for the last few years, Southern Light, a local fiber-optic company located on St. Anthony Street has been providing free wireless internet access in the downtown Cathedral Square area, but with disappointing results.

Perhaps Mobile can follow in the footsteps of Houston, Texas who began providing free WiFi earlier in 2008 as an extension of the technology used with their parking meters. They are getting about 200 unique users a day and believe that Houston is now more "hip" among its young people, and from a governmental standpoint, this service "connects" them with the youth more than any other service, according to Janis Benton, the deputy director for the city's Information Technology Department.

As a deep-port city, Mobile continues to attract to businesses into the area and the future looks bright indeed. This advancement, if implemented, will further define the city of Mobile as an up-and-coming place to work, play, and live.