How to Sign Up for Municipal WiFi in Atlanta

Atlanta will soon join the ranks of major municipalities across the U.S. that have embraced municipal WiFi. The city chose EarthLink to build, own and operate a municipal WiFi network. EarthLink will provide affordable, high-speed Internet access for residents, businesses and visitors to Atlanta, with upload and download speeds up to 1 Mbps. Additionally, EarthLink will continue its efforts to reduce the gap between those who benefit from technology and those who don't by working with the city to provide qualifying residents with discounted Internet access.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wireless router
• WiFi access

1. Find out if your current provider offers municipal WiFi. As part of its commitment to open access, EarthLink will enable multiple, competing providers, to offer their services to consumers and businesses over its network. For small businesses, Atlanta's wireless network will also provide an alternative for broadband connectivity, such as an affordable wireless T-1 solution. Just call your local provider and ask if you can sign up.

2. Go straight to the source. Earthlink was contracted to maintain Atlanta's municipal WiFi network. Just log onto Earthlink's website and find out when the network will reach your home or business (see Resources below). Earthlink has valuable updates on their website, and you may even be able to sign up online.

3. Fly for Wifi! Just log onto the free WiFi network at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Airport itself is now one huge "hot spot," enabling users to access wireless Internet services from virtually any point in the Airport. The network also includes 150 access points covering all 5.8 million square feet of the Terminal and outlying areas. It's a network so expansive that it could equip more than 3,000 typical Atlanta single-family homes for WiFi service. Your family can sign up if you live close to the airport.

4. Hit the books. Many local universities in the Atlanta area already have local WiFi available on campus. Some of the Atlanta colleges with working networks include: Clark Atlanta College, Georgia State University and Georgia Tech. You don't even have to sign up to use most of these networks. Just get on campus or visit the local library or student center to get connected.

5. Log onto the Wififreespot website (see Resources below). So many of your favorite city spots actually have free WiFi networks for their customers. Atlanta is packed with local hot spots, including hotels, restaurants, cafes, and even shopping mall food courts.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out if your current provider is offering municipal WiFi before changing providers--you could save yourself some time and money.

Resources

• Updates on Atlanta's muni network at Earthlink.net
• Free Wifi at local hangouts on wififreespot.com

[cchannel]

on 8/18/2009 C-Channel also provides free wi-fi at locations across the city. For a complete list, please visit http://c-channelatlanta.com/locations/ .