The service, supported entirely with funding, covers homes between East Abram Street, Sherry Street, Park Row Drive and New York Avenue鈥攁n area where around 18% of the 1,164 homes do not have steady internet access and around 3 in 10 residents are enrolled in schools.
Jimmie Marks, city IT project manager, says the program gets more use each month.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going up consistently,鈥� Marks said in a June interview.
The neighborhood is one of six that Marks says his team identified that could benefit the most from a free public Wi-Fi program. However, the city ultimately spent funding on a five-year pilot project solely covering the area.
Marks says people who would like to see the program continue past the pilot or cover their neighborhood should write to or call city council members.
鈥淚f we can get enough feedback to them, that we have a need that鈥檚 been asked for (by) the citizens, that鈥檚 definitely going to help us push forward with this,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would like to see it go beyond the area we have, and that鈥檚 the way it would happen鈥攊f we hear the need from the citizens and if they give us feedback in this respect.鈥�
People in the service area can connect to the internet using the provider #ArlingtonWi-Fi. The service support connection speeds up to 10 MB upload and download. The service works best outside and may not work indoors.
The program also installed smart lighting systems, which monitor the status of lighting fixtures and regulate energy consumption.
The program joins a tapestry of internet connectivity and Wi-Fi programs the city has pursued at the direction of Arlington鈥檚 Unity Council. The council-appointed task force presented leaders around on addressing disparities in areas including education and workforce training.
According to a , the amount of monthly public Wi-Fi users has grown from to 4,806 in July.
In addition to the program, the city has outfitted 19 library and parks and recreation facilities with Wi-Fi services. Arlington Public Library also loans out hot spots available for checkout one month at a time.
The city is also working with the company SiFi Networks on construction of a citywide broadband network. The company will install 10 million linear feet of fiber through city streets and contract with internet service providers to provide more internet choices to residents and businesses, according to
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