How to Sign Up for Municipal WiFi in Chicago

Signing up for municipal WiFi in Chicago should be easy soon. Plans for a municipal WiFi service throughout the city of Chicago were announced in 2006, with expected completion of this 228-square mile mesh network in 2008. EarthLink and AT&T are working on an $18.5 million Internet access system that adds to the preexisting WiFi hotspots, offering low priced WiFi for schools, parks and low-income housing throughout Chicago.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find out if you can sign up for municipal WiFi in your Chicago neighborhood via your local Internet provider. Check out your provider's website or just call and ask one of the representatives how to sign up for municipal WiFi in your Chicago area.

2. Check out the EarthLink or AT&T websites (see Resources below). These two companies are creating the municipal WiFi network in Chicago and they can direct you to information on when municipal WiFi will be ready to go in your area. These companies are both setting up networks in several major cities and are committed to bringing affordable Internet service to your local area.

3. Call or write your city department and ask if municipal Wi-Fi is yet installed in your area. Ask for the provider details and the coverage area. You can contact your local city planning department and find out what the future plans are for establishing municipal WiFi coverage in your neighborhood.

4. Log onto Auscillate's website (see Resources below). This website has a list of all the local businesses and points of interest with free WiFi in Chicago. Not only are free networks already available at some of your favorite local hangouts, but these networks are also being used as the base for the entire system in the Chicago area. Local business owners could be prime sources of information about the citywide network.

5. If you live on the outskirts of Chicago, check out information from Proxim Wireless Corporation (see Resources below). They have taken over some of the municipal networks in the suburbs of Chicago, including the village of Bellwood and Lisle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't yet sign up for municipal wireless in your Chicago area, keep yourself updated on advancements of the city's municipal wireless plan. WiFi may be available in your area soon.
• The city's WiFi project has recently faced some problems with their plans recently, so municipal WiFi may not be ready in your area right away. The city of Chicago has had some disagreements with EarthLink and AT&T over the costs of the network.

Resources

• Updates on the Chicago network on Earthlink.com
• More information on Chicago WiFi on ATT.com
• Free login at a local hang out on auscillate.com
• Outside of Chicago networks on Proxim.com