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HarborLink Network News & Events
August 8, 2006
from the
August 8, 2006 edition of
the Springfield Sun News
Wireless network proposed
for downtown
Commissioners review plans
for free access program that
could begin in downtown in
October.
By Samantha
Sommer
Staff Writer
Free wireless
Internet access could be
available outdoors in
downtown Springfield in
October.
Springfield
city commissioners reviewed
plans for the wireless
network at their meeting
Tuesday night.
If a contract
is approved, the city would
allow HarborLink to set up
equipment on its traffic
signal arms in exchange for
free access.
The first
phase of the network would
extend from Clark State
Community College’s downtown
campus up Fountain Avenue to
Wittenberg University. The
network reaches about three
blocks in all directions
from each radio transmitter.
The network
is a project of Springfield
Partners in Progress, which
consists of several
institutions including the
city, Center City
Association, Springfield
City Schools and
Neighborhood Housing
Partnership.
Phase one
would be a test project for
one year, said Nancy
Bridgman, NHP development
director.
If
successful, it could be
expanded to Clark State’s
Leffel Lane campus and
nearby neighborhoods then to
all city schools and finally
to Community Mercy Health
Partners, likely its new
downtown hospital.
“We feel this
amenity will stimulate
economic activity,” Bridgman
said.
HarborLink
runs similar networks in
downtown Dayton and
Worthington. So far this
year, Worthington has had
more than 13,000 sessions on
its network.
The free
access is supported with
advertising.
“We’ve
learned the Internet is
wonderful, but a lot of
people will not use it when
it costs money,” said Travis
Tangeman, chief technical
officer of HarborLink.
Commissioner
Dan Martin praised the
project, saying people like
the service.
“If we can
make that available, it’s a
good attraction for us,” he
said. |
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