As cFree as the wireless goes
Mark Bosworth — The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 7/7/05 Section: Metro
The Corridor Free Wireless Network, or cFree, is set to make its debut in Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids in late August. CFree will provide free Internet access for those people with the wireless technology commonly found in laptops and other portable devices.
"I'm very excited to see the fruition of a free wireless network. It's very exciting," said Rob Pilaszewski, a member of the James Gang. "It will encourage people to use public spaces and improve quality of life."
The not-for-profit venture is a product of the collaboration between the James Gang, an Iowa City-based nonprofit community-building organization, and the Cedar Rapids Downtown District.
CFree will allow users to do a variety of tasks, such as make reservations and check e-mail, while they enjoy the atmosphere of the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City and various other locations. The service could also be used with a webcam to broadcast downtown events or allow people to check the weather in the downtown areas, said Scott Fiddelke of the James Gang.
The service, which will provide full access to the Internet, is to be incorporated into several "key" areas in the three cities. The Ped Mall and public parks in will offer the network. S.T. Morrison and North Ridge Parks in Coralville as well as pedestrian areas in Cedar Rapids will also be included in the service. CFree may expand to other communities in the area as well, Pilaszewski said.
The system will initially be funded through a variety of sources, including Coralville and Cedar Rapids City governments and various private contributors. The organization will then look to secure monthly contributions by selling advertising space on startup screens. A board of directors, including members of the James Gang, Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Avalon Networks, Bradley and Riley, and New Bohemia, will lead the Internet provider.
Iowa City opted out of helping the free resource get its start.
"We are already doing it ourselves with our own resources," said City Manager Steve Atkins.
The Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., provides free service, expanding to most areas of the Ped Mall as a part of its current system. No expansion is planned for the library's network.
E-mail DI reporter Mark Bosworth at:
mark-bosworth@uiowa.edu
"I'm very excited to see the fruition of a free wireless network. It's very exciting," said Rob Pilaszewski, a member of the James Gang. "It will encourage people to use public spaces and improve quality of life."
The not-for-profit venture is a product of the collaboration between the James Gang, an Iowa City-based nonprofit community-building organization, and the Cedar Rapids Downtown District.
CFree will allow users to do a variety of tasks, such as make reservations and check e-mail, while they enjoy the atmosphere of the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City and various other locations. The service could also be used with a webcam to broadcast downtown events or allow people to check the weather in the downtown areas, said Scott Fiddelke of the James Gang.
The service, which will provide full access to the Internet, is to be incorporated into several "key" areas in the three cities. The Ped Mall and public parks in will offer the network. S.T. Morrison and North Ridge Parks in Coralville as well as pedestrian areas in Cedar Rapids will also be included in the service. CFree may expand to other communities in the area as well, Pilaszewski said.
The system will initially be funded through a variety of sources, including Coralville and Cedar Rapids City governments and various private contributors. The organization will then look to secure monthly contributions by selling advertising space on startup screens. A board of directors, including members of the James Gang, Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Avalon Networks, Bradley and Riley, and New Bohemia, will lead the Internet provider.
Iowa City opted out of helping the free resource get its start.
"We are already doing it ourselves with our own resources," said City Manager Steve Atkins.
The Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., provides free service, expanding to most areas of the Ped Mall as a part of its current system. No expansion is planned for the library's network.
E-mail DI reporter Mark Bosworth at:
mark-bosworth@uiowa.edu
