Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Boston Wireless Initiative?

In 2006 Mayor Thomas Menino announced his plan to build a wireless network across the city using a unique model – a non-profit entity that would offer wholesale service to any provider interested in offering service. The mayor was responding to the recommendations of his special Wireless Task Force, which recommended that a non-profit approach was the best way to offer low-cost service for residents while also creating the kind of open network that would attract innovators of all kind. Because the network will be run by a not-for-profit entity using new, low-cost technology, prices are likely to be as low $10 -$15 per month.

Why is the Boston Wireless Initiative important?

The Boston Wireless Initiative will provide low cost, high speed Internet service to residents who might not otherwise have access to the tremendous resources of the web. Only 43 percent of Boston residents currently have broadband Internet service at home and it is estimated that 80 percent of Boston School students do not have Internet access at home. The Initiative will also help keep Boston at the technology forefront, bringing new economic vitality and innovation to the city. Finally, it can help the city deliver services more efficiently and effectively, while cutting costs.

What is WiFi or a Wireless Fidelity system?

Wi-Fi or a Wireless Fidelity refers to a specific segment of the airwaves that can be used to send signals short distances, carrying anything from a baby monitor signal to an Internet connection. WiFi networks can be built by creating a mesh of radio antennae that send signals from one antenna to another. The Boston system would allow users to connect to the Internet anywhere they wanted: at home, at work, in a public park, at a coffee shop or restaurant.

How is the city of Boston involved in this initiative and how will it be funded?

No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund the project. The Initiative intends to raise $15 - $20 million in private funds. The city will allow the non-profit to use buildings and poles to attach antennae.

Who benefits from this wireless initiative?

Everyone. One of the initiative’s highest priorities is to bring wireless service to “underserved” areas – neighborhoods where many residents cannot afford cable and phone company Internet offerings. But all of Boston will benefit. Small businesses will be able to cut their Internet service costs and find new markets for their products. Community organizations will be able to better communicate with their constituents. The city will be able to cut telecommunications costs while finding new ways to deliver services.

Is the equipment in public areas safe?

By law, all WiFi devices must meet health standards set by the Federal Communications Commission for radio frequency emissions. WiFi works at much lower power levels and over shorter ranges than cell phones and cellular networks and have never been shown to pose any health risk. Signals operating in the same spectrum as WiFi are already safely carrying traffic in the home from baby monitors, portable phones and other devices.

Can this equipment do anything else?

The radio antennae being deployed can send and receive data signals for the purpose of carrying Internet traffic. The antennae themselves cannot be used to photograph or in any way monitor behavior on streets or in homes.

How will the Boston Wireless Initiative / openairboston.net work for a business owner?

First, business owners will be able use the network for Internet access, potentially cutting their communications costs. Some business owners may also use the network to expand their businesses by targeting customers in a given geographic or demographic range.

How will the service work for someone in their home?

Users who have computers and a wireless Internet card (which are now standard equipment on most computers) and are close enough to an antenna will simply be able to access the signal by choosing it on the wireless connections menu. To use the service inside the home, users may need to buy a wireless bridge, which currently costs about $50.

How will the Boston Wireless Initiative / openairboston.net work for a visitor to Boston?

Visitors will be able to easily connect to the Internet, making it possible for them to keep in touch with family and business contacts while also accessing information about Boston restaurants, museums, tours, and other activities. Also, tour providers and other institutions will use hand-held devices and other equipment to enhance tours and other visitor experiences.

What is the rollout plan to Boston’s neighborhoods?

It is likely the network will begin as a series of small pilots. In its earliest stages, the Initiative will target underserved neighborhoods and business districts.

How secure will the Boston Wireless Initiative / openairboston.net be?

All information sent over a wireless network has the same security as the information that is sent over the Internet through other means. To further protect personal information, users should have anti-virus and firewall programs installed on their computers.

How fast will the service be?

While ISPs will be free to offer whatever service customers demand, the Initiative has a goal of 1.5 Mbps. This is more than 25 times faster than dial-up and is similar to the speeds offered by DSL and cable broadband.

I already connect to the Internet in my home/business. Can I use the Boston Wireless Initiative / openairboston.net service?

A user may continue to use as many Internet connections as he or she wants. Some users may want to retain a wire line service, which often provides even higher speed than WiFi, but also subscribe to WiFi, which provides maximum mobility.

How can I get technical support when I’m using this service?

Users will receive customer service from their Internet Service Provider, as they do today when using the Internet. However, the non-profit plans to work extensively with community technology groups to help train people in how best to use the Internet. This training and support will be apart from normal network technical problems, which will be handled by the ISP.

How much will using the service cost?

The Initiative is targeting a price that could be as low as $9.95 and $15, substantially less than current high-speed offers.

Why should I pay for WiFi when I can just use free signals?

While some organizations offer reliable“free signals” (the Boston Public Library, for example, offers free WiFi services to those holding BPL cards), in general, you get what you pay for. Many “free signals” come from an open unsecured connection offering you no protection from hackers. There is no guarantee that the “free signals” will be on or how strong they will be. You can’t rely on the location of the signal. You can’t expect to get any support help from whoever is providing the “free signal.” Some locations will not allow outgoing e-mail to be sent via their SMTP server. If the provider of the “free signal” is engaged in any type of illegal activities, you could find yourself being investigated for use of that “free signal.”

I have a computer in my home. How do I figure out what I need to use the service?

The Initiative will be working with Internet Service Providers and community groups to ensure that this information is available when the network is up and running.

Is the service up and running anywhere?

The first pilot of the Wireless Initiative is being developed with availability planned for the first quarter of 2007.