The Wi-Fi Question

Hoboken blogger Mister Snitch has raised the subject of free, cheap, and commercial citywide Wi-Fi internet. Which brings up a little suggestion we'd like to make to our own city government: bring free municipal wi-fi to Jersey City.

Philidelphia is getting it. San Fransisco is getting it. Dozens of smaller towns across the west already have it. So why not bring it to Jersey City?

Wi-Fi, the highspeed wireless internet connection that has been integrated into nearly every laptop sold over the last few years can bridge the gap between rich and poor, create incentives for new businesses, and is generally seen as a hip new way to raise a cities profile.

Its no secret that Jersey City has been attempting to draw business away from the Big Apple. Providing corporate executives the ability to read email and stay connected to their offices even when they are enjoying a cup of coffee in one of Jersey City's local cafes might just be the perk that lures their entire business to the waterfront.

And then there are the social implications. Its also no secret that there is tension between Jersey City's newest residents-- those inhabiting the luxury highrises-- and older sections of the city. Yet, a project like free citywide Wi-Fi can level the technological gap between rich and poor by providing a service that everyone can benefit from. Children with internet at home do better in school and employees are more productive. Since Wi-Fi technology is several years old, it is a technology that is generally available at an affordable price.

So we'll say we think Jersey City should join the growing list of municipalities that provide their citizens with wi-fi.