People who live, work and play in downtown Tampa parks will now have a way to access the Internet for free on their laptop, tablet or smartphone thanks to a partnership between the City of Tampa and Bright House Networks.
The project is the latest in a series of technology-focused initiatives started by Mayor Bob Buckhorn, which includes hack-a-thons and mobile payments for parking meters. The effort will make it easier for people to use the parks on a more regular basis, as well as allow people who work downtown to work in the parks.
"It’s one more factor that makes downtown even more attractive and more exciting for the intellectual capital that we’re trying to attract," says Buckhorn. "If people want to live, work and play in the urban core, then you’ve got to have urban amenities to facilitate that."
The WiFi will also be available the entire length of the
Tampa Riverwalk, which spans from the
Florida Aquarium to the Heights and Water Works Park north of the
Straz Center for the Performing Arts. It is free for the first two hours, up to 1 GB per month.
Bright House customers will be able to use complimentary WiFi in other parts of downtown as well.
The WiFi is funded by Bright House Networks and part of a larger agreement that allows Bright House access to city infrastructure to place hot spots elsewhere in the city. It’s scheduled to be complete by the end of 2014.
Free WiFi is offered in other cities including New York, Paris and Hong Kong.
Writer:
Megan Hendricks
Source: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
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