LANSING – Three more wireless hot spots have been added by the state government and SBC Communications to a list that will eventually include ten state parks, docks, rest areas and welcome centers. The MiWiFi network now is live at the Mackinaw Island State Dock, Coldwater Welcome Center and Clarkston Rest Area.
Other spots scheduled to get service are the Ludington State Park, New Buffalo Welcome Center, Charles Mears State Park, Sterling State Park and East Tawas State Dock. In September, Holland State Park and Grand Haven State Park went live.
What this means is anyone with Wi-Fi enabled laptop computers and personal digital assistants can connect to the Internet and corporate networks at speeds 50 to 100 times faster than a dial-up connection, if you could even find one. The only catch is you have to be within a 150-foot range of the Wi-Fi hot spot to log on.
The WiFi hot spots are part of SBC?s of more than 4,400 public hot spots, growing to an estimated 20,000 by the end of 2006. FreedomLink service is available at nearly 200 locations throughout Michigan?more than double the number of hot spots available just two months ago.
?We?re excited to add Mackinac Island State Dock, Coldwater Welcome Center and Clarkston Rest Area to the nearly 200 Michigan locations where FreedomLink Wi-Fi access is available for travelers to enjoy the convenience of high-speed Internet access,? added Gail Torreano, president, SBC Michigan. ?Travelers will benefit from using our affordable and reliable Wi-Fi service at more than 4,400 locations nationwide.?
State CIO Teri Takai called MiWiFi a great example of how strong partnership and collaboration can bring great benefits to our citizens.
SBC Yahoo! DSL customers are able to use the FreedomLink service at no charge until April 15, 2005. After this introductory period, the price will be $1.99 a month with a one-year term commitment for customers who choose to sign up for the service.
For customers without SBC Yahoo! DSL, monthly FreedomLink memberships are available starting at $19.95, with a one-year term commitment, and provide unlimited access to FreedomLink hot spots. Also, FreedomLink service is available at Michigan state parks and docks for $7.95 for a 24-hour period. The service is available at Michigan state welcome centers and rest areas for only $3.95 for a 2-hour session.
Travelers and vacationers will have free access to Michigan.gov, the state?s top-rated Web site. Free access is also planned for Michigan.org sometime next year.
