The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Wireless access expands downtown

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

At noon on any given weekday, Sunnyvale's downtown is packed with high-tech employees looking for a cup of coffee, pub-grub lunch or just a few minutes relaxing in the sun.

Ironically, those same employees--from places such as Yahoo! and Network Appliances--have to struggle to find wireless access for computers and other devices because, aside from a small number of coffee shops and restaurants, the downtown lacks wireless internet access.

But in a few months, 10 square miles around the Caltrain station's parking structure at Frances and Evelyn avenues could have free coverage from MetroFi Inc., the company already providing service to select parts of the city.

On April 25, the Sunnyvale City Council approved MetroFi's expansion plan that would allow--as long as all necessary permits are obtained--the installation of a "network operations center" on top of the parking structure. To provide coverage, that operations center would then communicate to a mesh of light pole-mounted transmitters scattered around Sunnyvale.

Leigh Odum, owner of Leigh's Favorite Books on S. Murphy Avenue, said the nearby transmitter should help the area by providing a free benefit to local merchants.

"There are a lot of people who come down here to study," Odum said, "and if more people come to study, more people may need to take breaks and come in for a book."

Because MetroFi is covering all installation costs and paying rent on the space, the installation of the downtown operations center would mean approximately $3,600 in annual rent to the city.

MetroFi CEO Chuck Haas said in addition to covering the downtown shops and restaurants, the location would allow it to easily cover north Sunnyvale.

"We expect to be able to reach the entire city with this location," Haas said.

The new operations center will be Sunnyvale's second. The original central location was off Lawrence Expressway in southeast Sunnyvale.

There are 200 light pole-mounted transmitters in Sunnyvale, half of which are used only on a testing basis. But when the network is complete, Haas said he expects to have 350 transmitters in Sunnyvale that will work with the two operations centers to provide full access to everyone in Sunnyvale.

There are two options for accessing MetroFi's network in Sunnyvale. The first method that went live is a free service subsidized by advertisements. For no fee, users can access the network, as long as a small window is open on their computer to show local advertisements.

"Since Sunnyvale is the first city where we offered the free services, we're excited to be able to expand it into the downtown and other areas," Haas said.

There is also a $19.95 monthly subscription service that is ad-free.

For more information, surf over to www.metrofi.com. At the site, you can put in your address to find out if you are covered in Metrofi's network.