Boston Public Library Preparing to Lend Wi-Fi Hotspots

From the Boston Herald:

Boston Public Library is preparing to lend out wireless hotspots — free of charge — to low income residents as part of Verizon’s deal to install high-speed fiber optic cable throughout the Hub over the next five years.
[Clip]
Once the program begins, Boston residents with a library card will be able to borrow a mobile hotspot, a pocket-size device that uses cell service to create a portable WiFi network.
The program will be funded initially by $100,000 from Verizon, a provision of the agreement that allows the cable giant to install its Fios service across the city.
Although many of the specifics are still being worked out — including how long the hotspots will be lent for and how they would be metered — [Anne] Schwieger [Boston’s broadband and digital equity advocate] said one thing is clear: the program will target low-income residents who cannot afford broadband, not people who can’t live without Netflix on their camping trip.

Learn More, Read the Complete Article

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries