By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-936076.mp3
Albany, NY – In August 2009, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings announced that Tech Valley Communications and the city had received a New York State grant of 625-thousand dollars to expand Albany FreeNet: a free wireless internet access network. Now, more than a year later, Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports on the service's growth.
For many city residents, especially those in the downtown core neighborhoods, it's easy to access high-speed internet connections with a computer, netbook or even a wi-fi enabled cellphone. Those put off by the cost of cable internet service have an alternative.
Albany FreeNet is built on Tech Valley Communications' proprietary fiber optic and radio network. TVC director Jeff Mirel believes internet access and the computer skills to exploit it are critical in this economy - he says the net is NOT a luxury - it's a neccessity.
While there is no date set for free internet access to become available citywide, officials say they're inching toward the goal of citywide access month by month. Mayor Jerry Jennings says plans are going forward: "this is the way cities of the future are gonna look."
When people get a taste of technology, they hunger for more. TVC isn't just all about "free" internet - there are some who want more - and will pay for additional bandwidth.