Free wireless Internet coming to Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE - Visitors to downtown Moses Lake with wireless devices will be able to access the Internet by Memorial Day weekend, just in time for the Moses Lake Spring Festival.
The Moses Lake Business Association announced plans to offer a free wireless broadband network powered by Northland Cable's high-speed Internet in the area surrounding Sinkiuse Square.
The free wireless Internet service will also be available at McCosh Park and Civic Park early this summer, according to business association Executive Director Sally Goodwin.
Upon completion of the wireless network, Moses Lake joins Seattle and Spokane as Northwest cities providing free public Wi-Fi Internet access.
Wi-Fi is a wireless technology using unlicensed radio spectra based on international technical standards. Wi-Fi is now commonly used throughout the world for wireless Internet access in public areas, businesses and hotels.
Goodwin said wireless Internet was a suggestion made by consulting company Destination Development Inc., in their recommendations regarding downtown revitalization.
"We just picked up the ball and ran with it," she said. "We think it's a very good amenity to offer not only our local citizens, but our visitors. They can sit in Sinkiuse Square and do what they have to do, check e-mails or whatever's going on. They can sit in any one of the restaurants and outside when and if it gets warm."
Goodwin believes the access is a positive for the community. She said access will be available in all of the Laketown Landing area, which is downtown.
"It will probably go from lake to lake, as far as north and south," she said.
Northland Cable Marketing Manager Nathan Clark said the association approached the company about supplying bandwidth and expertise.
"We like the idea of being able to provide something to the core downtown area, and so we jumped aboard," Clark said.
Clark said the company has already attached a large antenna, or access point to its roof in order to offer the wireless service in the Sinkiuse Square area and along Third Avenue. He anticipated testing would be taking place in the next two weeks.
"We've partnered with Spectrum Communications, purchased equipment from them," Clark said. "They're loaning a couple of their installers and their wireless knowledge to us to get this off the ground."
Access to Civic and McCosh parks will be more remote, Clark said, which is the reason it will take longer to get the wireless system set up in those locations.
"This is something Seattle and Spokane have done in their core downtown areas, and I see no reason why Moses Lake shouldn't have the same type of public Wi-Fi," he said.
Goodwin said the Wi-Fi access is possible because of the donations made to the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program.
The program is being sold again this year, she noted. Businesses receive a 75 percent rebate on their business and occupation tax when they contribute. The money goes toward projects like downtown beautification and the wireless Internet.
"It's the wave of the future," Goodwin said of the service. "We just need to be proactive and get it up and running."