Atlanta, GA combines fiber-optic infrastructure with smart city pop-ups in BeltLine redevelopment
Project leaders view the 33-mile trail network as a connectivity resource for patrons and nearby residents without reliable Internet access. Two smart city pop-ups on the BeltLine include free Wi-Fi and interactive maps. City officials and local partners will also test autonomous grocery stores, smart waste bins, and other technology at pop-ups. Fiber-optic lines installed by eX² Technology throughout the Atlanta BeltLine support digital inclusion efforts.
Atlanta, GA
United States
West Hollywood, CA develops WeHo Wi-Fi outdoor network for improved public connectivity
West Hollywood installed Wi-Fi 6 access points at intersections and bus shelters along Santa Monica Boulevard. WeHo Wi-Fi also supports connectivity at West Hollywood Park and Plummer Park Community Center. City officials focused on an outdoor Wi-Fi network for public access during events and staff use during fieldwork. The network also supports technology pilots and demonstrations as part of the WeHo Smart City Strategic Plan.
West Hollywood, CA
United States
Catawba County, NC Wi-Fi for All provides free Internet access in public locations
County officials identified significant gaps in Internet access in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Catawba County Library used a state CARES grant for the installation of hard-wired connections and Wi-Fi routers at seven locations. Wi-Fi access at locations like the Hickory Soup Kitchen and Plaza Latina extended into parking lots for easier public use. Catawba County also stocked library locations with 118 tablets for residents without access to connected devices.
Catawba County, NC
United States
Dublin City Council, IE and Virgin Media pilot TIP's OpenWiFi system for free public Wi-Fi
The Telecom Infra Project (TIP) developed the OpenWiFi system with 100 service providers and manufacturers. OpenWiFi offers a flexible and open-source solution where users select solutions based on consumer needs rather than a single vendor's products. Dublin and Virgin Media will build a Wi-Fi 6 network for public access using equipment from Edgecore, HFCL, and NetExperience. The pilot will experiment with additional technology for optimization based on community needs.
Dublin City Council, IE
Ireland
Sarasota, FL unveils Free Wi-Fi in the Parks pilot in response to connectivity gaps
City officials first discussed free Wi-Fi in public parks in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarasota approved the use of $470,000 in federal ARPA funds for the installation of equipment at four public parks. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park was the first park in the program with additional park activations planned by early 2023. Free Wi-Fi in the Parks reduces the digital divide and encourages active lifestyles through increased park visits.
Sarasota, FL
United States
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, GB WorkHub pilot continues 15-minute neighborhood efforts
Dickens Heath was selected for the six-month pilot due to the frequency of short car trips made to the village. The WorkHub offers work pods and desks from £5.00 per hour or £15.00 per day Monday through Friday. Remote workers, creatives, and other users access free Wi-Fi as well as soundproof spaces for recordings or video meetings. Borough officials are evaluating if the WorkHub provides enough resources to replace many car commutes with walks and bike rides.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom
Yarra, VIC and ENE.HUB incorporate smart poles into Cremorne Digital Infrastructure Project
City officials are turning AUD 1 million in state funds into smart infrastructure for the bustling precinct. ENE.HUB poles include air quality sensors, people counters, and routing equipment for free public Wi-FI. A centralized platform analyzes real-time data from each pole for a comprehensive view of activity in Cremorne. This project improves connectivity for passersby and businesses while supporting ventures at the state-funded Cremorne Digital Hub.
Yarra, VIC
Australia
New York, NY Big Apple Connect program bridges connectivity gaps for public housing residents
Big Apple Connect offers free basic cable TV and Internet connections up to 300 Mbps to 300,000 public housing residents. The city reached agreements with Optimum and Spectrum as service providers across 200 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) communities. New York conducted a pilot version of Big Apple Connect in eight NYCHA communities in August 2022. Full deployment by December 2023 will help many of the 40% of public housing residents without high-speed Internet access.
New York, NY
United States
Chattanooga, TN and Nokia build on past connectivity successes with 25 Gig fiber-optic network
City-owned EPB laid the foundations for the 25 GIG network with its gig-speed service in 2010 and 10 gig upgrade in 2015. The Chattanooga Convention Center is the first subscriber to a service available at every address in the city. This project combines existing fiber-optic lines with Nokia's 25G PON technology for cost-efficient connections. 25G PON also supports symmetrical upload and download speeds not found in competitors.
Chattanooga, TN
United States
Fort Worth, TX CFW Neigborhood Wi-Fi program connects residents in digitally excluded areas
The city's Neighborhood Improvement Program identified five neighborhoods with limited Internet access. Fort Worth, Cisco, and Presidio affixed networking equipment to utility poles for up to 90% saturation in each area. CFW Neighborhood Wi-Fi acts as a bridge between the low-connectivity past and future adoption of full-fiber connectivity. City officials used CARES Act and ARPA funding for a program that reaches two-thirds of the 60,000 residents without home Internet access.
Fort Worth, TX
United States
Haverhill, MA purchases Canavisia smart benches for a pilot of connected furniture at bus stops
Haverhill and the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) are using a $50,000 state grant for the project. Canavisia benches in front of the city's housing authority buildings provide free Wi-Fi to commuters. Each bench has a solar panel in its backrest that powers device chargers and climate sensors. Local officials will evaluate pilot data in determining if features like digital video boards and electric bike charging should be included in future purchases.
Haverhill, MA
United States
New York, NY is planning to install hundreds of new kiosks as wireless hotspots for the public
New York City is planning to install 739 new kiosks to help close the digital divide by providing residents with access to free wireless internet service, quicker connections, and free phone calls. The new wireless hotspots will have a range of about 1,000 feet enabling anyone within that radius to access high-speed Internet service for free. Overall, the city plans to bring 2,000 new 5G kiosks to the five boroughs over the next several years.
New York, NY
United States