Taking your laptop or PDA to lunch will soon no longer be a hi-tech challenge as the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) has begun installation of Downtown Pittsburgh's free outdoor wireless access in the Central Business District. The WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh installation phase was unveiled in Market Square as Mayor Bob O'Connor hung the network's first transmission radio. Installation of the Downtown wireless network, which will be powered by US Wireless Online, will be completed by September 2006.
Speaking on behalf of the WiFi initiative, Michael M. Edwards, president and CEO of the PDP, said, "Free outdoor wireless will be a tremendous enhancement for workers, residents and visitors who want to utilize laptops, PDAs and other electronic equipment in Downtown Pittsburgh."
O'Connor said the service allows the city to continue to build on the already existing amenities the area has to offer. "Now people who live and work in Downtown Pittsburgh will have the freedom to enjoy being outside and still have access to the communications equipment that keeps them connected," he said. "It's the first step in bringing a wireless network to the rest of the city."
As an innovative initiative, WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh will provide wireless access to the Central Business District/Golden Triangle, North Shore and Lower Hill District at various service tiers, including: US Wireless Online FreeConnect, which allows free access for up to two hours each day and US Wireless Online DayConnect, which provides usage at a higher bandwidth and can be purchased in increments of $7.99 per day, $14.95 per month or $119.99 per year. FreeConnect users will be provided a minimum of 512 Kbps of bandwidth, while DayConnect users will receive 1 Mbps. DayConnect users also will benefit from VPN and other security encryption protocol support.
Bringing cutting-edge amenities to Downtown Pittsburgh is a key goal of the PDP. According to Michael Edwards, WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh will be enjoyed by Downtown residents, workers and visitors. In addition, he says, "The free WiFi access distinguishes Downtown in the marketplace for both business and living. It's something you will only find Downtown."
In addition to its wireless Downtown component, WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh will provide municipal benefits, including four secured mobile command units for the City of Pittsburgh's public safety use, and will address digital- divide issues by providing complimentary connections in partnership with Wireless Neighborhoods, an alliance of community and faith organizations committed to support children's education, promote economic development and address other social barriers.
WiFi Pittsburgh was funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Colcom Foundation, Grable Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, Hillman Foundation, Laurel Foundation, McCune Foundation, Mellon Financial Corporation and Richard King Mellon Foundation.
US Wireless Online has installed similar technology in Baton Rouge and Los Angeles. Timothy J. Pisula, Chief Technology Office, US Wireless Online, said, "The impact of the technology on these cities has been enormous." He also added, "We are proud to partner with the PDP and the City of Pittsburgh to bring this state-of-the-art wireless Internet access to the Downtown community."
For more information on WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com.
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