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Wireless Minneapolis

Free Wireless Hotspots Minneapolis residents and visitors will now be able to access the Internet for free from 117 “Wireless Minneapolis” hotspots throughout the city. These hotspots are one of the many community benefits that resulted from the City of Minneapolis’ contract with USI Wireless, the company that built the wireless network blanketing the entire city. Look for these signs which are being installed now, or look for the wireless network connection called “USIW Free Wifi” with your computer or device.

View a map of free wireless hotspots.

In 2006, the City of Minneapolis signed a 10-year contract with USI Wireless of Minnetonka to provide Minneapolis with cutting-edge broadband technology. USI Wireless is a private company that will own, build and manage the wireless network, making Minneapolis one of the first large cities in the United States to go wireless.

When completed, the wireless network will cover all 59 square miles of Minneapolis providing residents, businesses and visitors with wireless broadband access anywhere in the City. The network will allow the City to deliver services more efficiently and effectively than ever before. The wireless contract also includes benefits to the community that go far beyond what any other city in the country has negotiated.

A portion of the wireless network was already completed on Aug. 1, 2007, when the I-35W Bridge collapsed, which allowed the City to use the network as part of its emergency response effort. The City of Minneapolis is grateful to USI Wireless for their rapid response and support. This effort and other Wireless Minneapolis initiatives received international recognition when the City was awarded Wireless Internet Institute’s (W2i) Digital Cities Best Practices Award for e-Government Applications in December, 2007.

USI Wireless is completing construction in six geographic phases, and has now completed work in Phases One through Four. Phase Five is also complete with the exception of 12 new poles that are being installed by the City of Minneapolis Public Works crews. USI Wireless crews have completed about half of the installations in Phase Six. To support the wireless network in that Phase, Public Works crews will be installing approximately eight new poles to provide mounting locations. The network will be available to customers in Phases Five and Six once these new poles are in place.

Upon completion of the primary network construction, USI Wireless crews will move to identified Challenge Areas, beginning in the Lowry Hill – Loring Park neighborhoods where modifications to decorative light poles are necessary to support installation activities. Approximately 8000 customers are now using the network.

Updated May 19, 2008

Should you have questions about the service, or require technical assistance, please contact USI Wireless at (952) 253-3262 or visit the USI Wireless Web site.

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