With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Will LA Ever Have Citywide Wi-Fi?
()
Mayor Tony stood before a media gaggle at 7th & Fig in February and announced the birth of "LA Version 2.0." Free citywide Wi-Fi for all within two years, he proclaimed, momentarily appeasing critics and activists who have called for municipal funds and programs to help bridge the digital divide.
But the skeptics among us are well aware of the extensive headaches and limited progress of the once-supposed trailblazing municipal Wi-Fi proposals in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
After winning bids to build out WiFi networks for Philly, Anaheim, Atlanta and elsewhere, Earthlink recently broke down and concluded that free and inexpensive Wi-Fi is a losing proposition. Soon after, Chicago scrapped its ambitious plans, and though Earthlink is still promising build-outs for Anaheim and Houston, the company has already forfeited millions, and last month laid off nearly half of its employees.
Support for LAist comes from
Los Angeles has not yet thrown in the towel, and in June hired Civitium, a top municipal wireless strategy firm, to consult on the project.
Now, the LA City Wi-Fi Initiative and Civitium want to hear from you.
More details, a map of LA-area hotspots, and a list of local muni Wi-Fi projects after the jump.
(View "other" responses).
Today's LA Times features a very informative background article on the city's Wi-Fi dreams. But in spite of a barrage of negative news articles proclaiming the death of citywide Wi-Fi, Earthlink was never the end-all be-all. Their restructuring was a Hail Mary attempt at reviving their brand, which at one time was one of the nation's top Internet Service Providers.
While government will never progress at the pace of technology (the LA Wi-Fi timeline is TBA beyond Fall 2007), it's important to note emerging alternatives to the citywide mesh network Wi-Fi systems favored by Earthlink, including WiMax, unused frequencies (white space), and preexisting, unused fiber-optic cable (dark fiber).
The city's public survey is available here.
Support for LAist comes from
photo via Dayna Bateman's flickr.
LA City Wi-Fi Initiative Town Hall Meetings:
Wednesday September 26 6:30 - 8:00 PM (PDF)
Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center
6262 Van Nuys Blvd,
Community Room 1A (1st Floor)
Van Nuys, California 91401 (map).
Thursday September 27, 6:30 - 8:00 PM (PDF)
John Ferraro Building
Department of Water and Power
111 N. Hope Street, Level A (Auditorium)
Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map).
(Paid parking available through Gate 6, located on
Hope Street. Parking is limited, please arrive early).
User-generated map of LA Wi-Fi hotspots via hotspotr.com:
Existing municipal Wi-Fi networks in the LA area:
Support for LAist comes from
* Culver City (the first in the LA metro)
* 17 wireless access points along the promenade, at city hall eventually Santa Monica Pier and the civic auditorium.
* 1 square mile +/- of wifi in Downtown Burbank (via Qwest DSL and access points aimed at a large hillside satellite)
* West Hollywood Public Wifi -- along Santa Monica Blvd between Fairfax and La Brea.
* Santa Clarita (Central Park).
* Anaheim
* Newport and Laguna Beach Harbors (up to a few miles out at sea)
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist