Long Beach WiFi Launches New Practice

LONG BEACH, Calif -- With WiFi becoming an increasingly important communications technology across the United States, Bruce Mayes -- who managed the nation's largest free wireless Internet access zone in Long Beach, CA, - is launching a practice that will focus on development of WiFi hot spots in public areas and airports.

The Long Beach Hot Zone was kicked off at a grand opening in January. The downtown wireless hot spot perimeter includes various restaurants, cafes, department stores and hotels. The hot spot installation has gained worldwide attention.

"We're copying what you did in Long Beach ... here in Baltimore" said Edgar Hammet, technology advisor to the Mayor of Baltimore. A number of cities are exploring the idea of installing such networks in downtown areas or throughout entire communities; they include San Francisco, Seattle; Jacksonville, Fla; and Lodi, Calif. reports John Markoff of the New York Times.

"By introducing free wireless Internet access, the city of Long Beach is taking a bold step to provide cutting-edge communications technology to anyone visiting our downtown" said Mayor Beverly O'Neill.

The WiFi standard allows several computer users to access the Internet quickly using technology similar to cellular phones and towers. All that's required to take advantage of the service is a standard WiFi 802.11b radio card, available at any computer store, and a laptop computer.

The Long Beach Airport, among the five busiest general aviation airports in the world with more than 200,000 passengers per month, will begin providing free wireless Internet service in all passenger lounges and exterior areas. The network, operational now, will be unveiled to the public in June, making Long Beach Airport the first in the world to offer free Internet access anywhere in its environs. Mayes was the project manager and worked with partners Intermec Technologies Corp., G-site Web Design, Vernier Networks, Color Broadband, and Development Tech.