Google launches free Wi-Fi network in New York
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced at a press conference today that Google will help to launch a free Wi-Fi network in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea. The project will be the largest free network in the city, and a boon to the dozens of tech start-ups and Internet companies, including Google, that call Chelsea home.聽
to CNN, the network cost $115,000 to get off the ground; annual maintenance costs will total $45,000. Google is reportedly responsible for two-thirds of all expenses; the remainder falls to聽Chelsea Improvement Company, a community group.聽
"It's not very expensive at all 鈥� just a smidgeon of what Sandy cost," US Senator Chuck Schumer said at a press conference in Manhattan today. "The mayor and I said maybe we could get this done for all of New York. We look forward to the day when all of New York has free Wi-Fi."
In related news, Google is currently testing a high-speed Internet network called Google Fiber in the Kansas City area. Locals can get their hands on the service, which is said to be聽100 times faster than services offered by other providers, for $70 a month. $120 a month, meanwhile, will buy you聽Google Fiber TV, a package that includes a range of broadcast networks and a聽Nexus 7 tablet for use as a remote control.聽
So hey, is there any chance New York could see a Google Fiber pilot program of its own? Well, over at Web Pro News, Zach Walton a recent job posting for a "Google Fiber Sales Rep for New York City." From the advert: "The Google Fiber Sales Representative be a part of a team to evangelizes Google Fiber services to small and medium business and multi unit dwellings."
But it's doubtful this is much more than some initial groundwork 鈥� Google has stressed that much of its energy remains focused on the Kansas City rollout. Our advice, New Yorkers? Don't hold your breath.聽
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