Wireless Communication – Hotspot in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is discussing ways to make wireless communication available throughout the “City of Brotherly Love”. These plans, with a goal of bringing free or low-cost Internet communication to all parts of the city, could make it a hotspot for communications.

The plan calls for creating a $10 million wireless communication network, turning the city of 1.5 million into one huge Internet hotspot. Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods are restricted to very limited Internet service.

To construct the wireless broadband network, the city would place thousands of small transmitters on lampposts throughout its 135-mile radius. Network transmitters would create a “wireless mesh” that would blanket the city with easy access to online communication.

A number of other cities, such as Cleveland, are also experimenting with making wireless communication available to all residents. The city of Cleveland has placed 4,000 wireless transmitters in three districts and anyone in those districts can now access Internet communications free of charge. A similar communications network makes wireless Internet access available to anyone in the city In Chaska, Minnesota, for just a minimal cost.

The transmitters in these cities and those being considered by Philadelphia use Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi network communication cards come standard in most new computers and are inexpensive to add to older ones. Internet connections over Wi-Fi wireless networks are much faster than those connections made through high-speed cable or DSL phone lines.

Cable companies who charge monthly fees for Internet access might not be as thrilled about the wireless communication idea.

Also see; Motorola cell phones.

Author Notes:

Jack Adams contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.cell-phones-n-plans.com. A cellular phone industry resource that features service plan comparisons, cellular phone reviews and articles.