Free Wi-Fi is about to spread to the southwest corner of Washtenaw County. The Wireless Washtenaw project's organizers are planning to make the service available in Manchester, Bridgewater, Freedom and Sharon within the next three to four months.
"There is a real need for this product and technology in the southwest part of the county," says James McFarlane, project manager for Wireless Washtenaw. "We get calls everyday from people asking for this product."
Wireless Washtenaw and Internet-service-provider 20/20 Communications completed the project's pilot phase earlier this year, covering parts of Ann Arbor, Manchester and Saline. Ann Arbor’s section is based in its downtown core, covering parts of streets like Main, State and Liberty.
Organizers behind the initiative expect to make all of Washtenaw County wireless by the fall of 2008. The county covers 720 square miles and is home to approximately 340,000 people. Oakland and Macomb counties are also pushing forward similar programs this year.
Source: James McFarlane, project manager for Wireless Washtenaw
Writer: Jon Zemke