Harlem Will Be America's Largest Free Wifi Zone By This May

Harlem To Get America's Largest Free Wifi Zone
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: A free Wi-Fi hotspot beams broadband internet from atop a public phone booth on July 11, 2012 in Manhattan, New York City. New York City launched a pilot program Wednesday to provide free public Wi-Fi at public phone booths around the five boroughs. The first ten booths were lit up with Wi-Fi routers attached to the top of existing phone booths, with six booths in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn, and one in Queens. Additional locations, including ones in the Bronx and Staten Island, are to be added soon. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: A free Wi-Fi hotspot beams broadband internet from atop a public phone booth on July 11, 2012 in Manhattan, New York City. New York City launched a pilot program Wednesday to provide free public Wi-Fi at public phone booths around the five boroughs. The first ten booths were lit up with Wi-Fi routers attached to the top of existing phone booths, with six booths in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn, and one in Queens. Additional locations, including ones in the Bronx and Staten Island, are to be added soon. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

A large donation will transform Harlem into America's largest free Wifi zone by this May. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday that Glenn Fuhrman, formerly of Goldman Sachs, and his wife, Amanda, have donated $2 million to construct the wiring for a free, 95-block hotspot, from 110th Street up to 138th, and from Frederick Douglas Boulevard over to Madison Avenue.

The program is set to increase access to the internet for some 80,000 residents, including 13,000 living in public housing, according to a press release.

“Our new Harlem wireless network brings critical connectivity to residents and visitors, giving them 24/7 access to everything from education materials for kids, to information about Harlem’s rich history and attractions, to everyday needs like paying bills, checking library hours — or even just keeping tabs on the Knicks and Nets,” Bloomberg said in a statement.

As The Daily News notes, the Wifi service is zoned for outside use, and those trying to connect indoors might have trouble.

The first phase of the project, from 110th Street to 120th, will be completed this month. The second phase, from 121st street to 127th will be completed in February. The entire project is set for completion by this May.

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