Early success drove city to expand Wi-Fi
DAYTON, OH — People with laptop computers will be able to utilize free Internet service from the time they land at the airport, do business downtown and relax in one of the city's green spaces, "giving users the ability to stay connected wherever they are in the city."
That's the promise HarborLink network President Rick Tangeman said will be delivered now that his company has a city contract to expand Wi-Fi services beyond downtown.
HarborLink, founded in 1999, will discuss with the city how it can extend its free, advertising-supported access as well as add other premium services, expand media and content and make the network more informative and entertaining.
In a press release from the city, John Moore, acting director of the department of information and technology services, said, "Based upon the various proposals ... received for expanding Wi-Fi services ... HarborLink was selected as the most responsive and best-proposed solution. We are hopeful that the creation and execution of a mutually acceptable agreement can now be reached quickly and efficiently."
HarborLink partnered with the city in March 2005 to provide free Wi-Fi in a one-square-mile radius of downtown.
Tangeman said the network's technology and patronage were studied. "The results on both exceeded our expectations," he said.
"We could tell when people were coming outside on breaks. There were early (usage) peaks at lunchtime, and we'd get a peak after 5. Access at night was coming from the hotels."
