Free Wi-Fi in New York City

Google’s Sidewalk Labs has launched Intersection, a new company that plans to provide the streets of New York with free WiFi. Intersection plans to use public infrastructure, like pay phones and bus stops, as hubs that will provide a 150-foot radius of connectivity. Sidewalk Labs has acquired the companies behind the LinkNYC initiative that first proposed the idea last year.

Dan Doctoroff, CEO of Sidewalk Labs and former Deputy Mayor for Economic Development in New York City, says that the project hopes to bring “equity” by providing connectivity to people for free and fulfill the needs of government to generate revenues. The disparity between rural and urban areas in terms of internet connectivity is 53 percent and eight percent, a gap this project yearns to bridge.

According to the FCC website, Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the FCC to report annually on whether broadband “is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.” In its most recent progress report, the broadband benchmark has been updated to 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads from the 2010 standard of 4 Mpbs/1 Mbps respectively. Consequently, it also reports that 55 million Americans – 17% of the population – lack access to this high speed broadband.

Doctoroff believes that free Wi-Fi as an urban development project opens countless possibilities. By extension, you not only provide information to the user connected to these hubs, you also give them all the added benefits of any apps installed on their device. Free calls, directions for tourists in their own language, advertising local establishments and updated traffic conditions are just some of the things we can expect.

Sidewalk labs plan to take similar projects to other major cities, but will make adjustments based on the city’s needs. Intersection will also seek out new partners as it continually expands.