The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 6, 2011

Group aims to bring free Wi-Fi to downtown

By C.V. Moore Register-Herald Reporter

FAYETTEVILLE — A grassroots group called Create Fayetteville is in the research and planning phase for a project that would bring free Wi-Fi access to Fayetteville’s downtown area.

The group said they have reached out to downtown businesses about the idea and they have expressed full support, and, in some cases, even offered to contribute funds.

At Create Fayetteville’s Wednesday meeting, Ric Cavender, executive director of Charleston’s East End Main Street (EEMS) organization, spoke to members about his experience starting the first free, public Wi-Fi network in Kanawha County.

The network has provided access to 22,000 unique users since its creation in 2008.

Cavender’s organization purchased equipment manufactured by Meraki, which uses a system of repeaters to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal over a distance. The group used grant money, as well as money it independently raised. Cavender said the service costs approximately $200 per month but was unsure whether that would be comparable to a similar service in Fayetteville.

He said the service provides an added bonus to area businesses, namely, promotion. The service attracts more people to the business district and also provides them with free advertising.

“We are able to help our businesses with marketing,” he said. “We can configure repeaters to customize messages that appear at the top of every webpage.”

The public Wi-Fi “provides another layer of service” to the business district, Cavender said, but does not replace service for the businesses. They still have to have their own Internet provider for banking and other private transactions.

He said one challenge was that the system required “constant attention” in the beginning but has since become more streamlined. He is a paid staff member of EEMS, whereas Create Fayetteville is an all-volunteer organization.

Cavender suggested that Create Fayetteville evaluate the monthly cost of providing public Wi-Fi and consider partnering with a local business to defray costs.

— E-mail: cmoore@register-herald.com

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