WiFi for All: Welcome to the Next Generation of Cities

Photo credit: Photo from the LinkNYC website

We know we’re not the only ones driven crazy by the lack of WiFi on buses or trains. What better way to pass the time than reading Bisnow?

Right now, two ambitious projects in the US’ biggest cities are bringing public WiFi to bus stops and old phone booths. In May, advertising giant JCDecaux and Outfront Media set up wired, smart bus stations near LA’s City Hall with free WiFi hotspots, transit information and USB ports for mobile devices.

"We're clearly moving from a physical to a digital world," Outfront/JCDecax co-managing director J. Francois Nion says. "Our bus stations provide a platform for digital services. It's a perfect marriage." He says he wants to expand to 15 more bus stops, eventually turning 1,800 into digital hubs.

In New York, Google-backed Sidewalk Labs is investing in the LinkNYC initiative consortium, which will convert old unused phone booths into WiFi hotspots and civic information centers (pictured). The NYC subway has 84 WiFi-powered stations and plans to provide Internet at every station by 2018.

Other cities with digital infrastructure include the Bay area, Washington, DC, Boston and Philadelphia, Meanwhile, Chicago officials say a cellular subway upgrade would make its transit system the "largest US public transit system with 4G coverage in all subway stations and tunnels." [Curbed]

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's National Newsletters
Related Stories

Wall Street Impatient For Big Tech Returns On Data Center Spending

As AI Adoption Ramps Up, Half A Million Property Managers Are In The Crosshairs

Treasuries Hover Around 4.7% As Wall Street Questions If Warsh Is A 'Dove In Hawk's Clothing'

Avison Young Had Assets Frozen By Bank Over Unpaid Taxes

Camden Property Trust Sells West Coast Portfolio, Clears $1.5B Target

Churchill Downs Plans To Sell 9 Casinos, Focus On Horse Racing

'Redefining Industry Standards': RCG's 3-Pronged Approach To Building Automation

Bringing Stability And Savings To CRE Insurance Through Working Layer

More Hotel Owners In Need Of Cash Are Getting It From The Big Brands

Former Arms Dealer Targeting Heartland Apartment Takeover Files For Bankruptcy

SEC Charges REIT, Its Founders With Alleged $152M Fraud Scheme

Equinix Ramps Up Spending Plans Amid Faster-Than-Expected AI Shift