Internet access will be available at various service tiers including: U.S. Wireless Online FreeConnect, which allows free access for up to two hours each day and U.S. Wireless Online DayConnect, which provides usage at a higher bandwidth and can be purchased in increments of $7.99 per day, $14.95 per month or $119.99 per year. FreeConnect users will be provided a minimum of 512 Kbps of bandwidth, while DayConnect users will receive 1 Mbps. DayConnect users will also benefit from VPN and other security encryption protocol support. Installation of the Downtown wireless network will be completed by September 2006.
In addition to its wireless Downtown component, WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh will provide municipal benefits, including four secured mobile command units for city of Pittsburgh public safety use, and will address digital divide issues by providing complimentary connections in partnership with Wireless Neighborhoods, an alliance of community and faith organizations committed to support children's education, promote economic development and address other social barriers.
"We are utilizing Tropos Networks state of the art, MetroMesh municipal Wi-Fi infrastructure, Pisula said. "By leveraging our existing fixed wireless, point to multi-point broadband network and with the aid of a great consortium of support vendors, we will be able to meet the September launch objective and provide the PDP and the city an excellent carrier-grade turnkey Wi-Fi network."
