Cities and towns are running wireless networks in a variety of ways depending on available resources and the needs of their residents. Since Community Internet offers them a way to decide what they feel is their own best solution, municipalities have constructed successful wireless networks using various approaches to ownership and types of infrastructure. Click on each network to find out more about it.

St. Cloud Cyber Spot
The first city-owned, city-wide wireless network in the country was deployed in St. Cloud, Fla. Broadband access, available all around town, is offered at no charge. The service has been rated #1 in the country for 100% availability.

NYCwireless
New York City residents can access free wireless Internet through hundreds of hot spots around town, set up by the nonprofit organization NYCwireless.

WAZ Tempe
Cities can easily benefit even from privately-run wireless networks. The city-wide network in Tempe, Ariz., serviced by Kite Networks, provides free broadband access to municipal and public safety workers.

Glenwood Springs Community Broadband Network
Glenwood Springs, Colo. provides high-speed broadband access to its residents through a fiber-optic network. Wireless service is offered to households beyond the network's reach.

Chelan County Public Utility District
In Washington, Chelan County's PUD is building fiber-to-the-home infrastructure for use by residents and businesses in the area, and about 15 different service providers offer high-speed Internet access on the network.

TAGS:

• Future of the Internet
• Community Internet