Portland's residents and visitors can now enjoy wireless broadband access with speeds comparable to DSL at no cost, using the MetroFi Free advertising-supported wireless service. In addition, MSN offers Portland's MetroFi Free users locally relevant content and services, including weather, news and maps. Portland's public works field personnel and first responders also gain greatly expanded access to wireless network services to facilitate more responsive data communications.
"The City of Portland should be commended for their vision and commitment to the Unwire Portland initiative and are truly leading the way in providing its residents and visitors with anywhere, anytime Internet access through its partnership with MetroFi," said Chuck Haas, CEO and co-founder of MetroFi. "With service now live around Pioneer Courthouse Square we hope local residents and holiday shoppers will use the free Wi-Fi service, while we continue to add new coverage areas throughout the city in the near future."
MetroFi worked with the Mayor's office and the Bureau of Technology Services to design and implement the service, which utilizes MetroFi's advanced Wi-Fi mesh network that operates by transmitting data via access points mounted on street light poles throughout the city.
"It's only fitting that Portland, as one of the country's pioneering technology capitals, is one of the first metropolitan cities to offer free Wi-Fi to all citizens," said Portland mayor Tom Potter. "MetroFi has demonstrated its ability to build first class wireless networks up and down the West Coast, and their collaboration with Microsoft, a great Northwest company, will deliver the nation's best wireless Internet experience for residents and visitors of our great city."
MetroFi offers its service at no charge to users through support from local advertising partners. Inaugural Portland sponsors include KPTV Fox 12, the Boyd Coffee Company and Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty, with additional sponsors added over time. The Portland Wi-Fi network is modeled on wireless broadband networks that MetroFi built and operates in cities like Aurora, Ill., Foster City, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Concord, Calif.
"Microsoft is pleased to join MetroFi and the City of Portland in providing locally relevant information for this free wireless network," said Stefan Weitz, director of planning in the MSN Media Network Group at Microsoft Corp. "This first step will provide the people of Portland with easier access to great MSN content and services including local weather, news, top restaurants and nightlife, movies, events and Live Search. We look forward to working with the people and businesses of Portland to develop additional locally relevant services that leverage this wireless, high-speed service."
The MetroFi Free Portland network is expected to be completed by mid 2008.
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Photo by Chance Agrella.
