Free Wi-Fi in York City?

As Wi-Fi quickly becomes the standard in Internet connectivity throughout households, organizations, government agencies and businesses, Wi-Fi can also boost economic development by attracting visitors to destinations in both the commercial and residential realms.

Y-FI is a York, Pennsylvania, community-based wireless internet mesh network venture focused on the delivery of secure, free Wi-Fi services to downtown visitors, commercial and residential property owners. The Y-FI mission is to help everyone gain access to technology and the internet by partnering with businesses, community organizations and local residents.

Goals

Y-FI will use its resources to achieve the following goals in York’s downtown:

• Provide free wireless internet connectivity to portions of York City with initial focus on Central Market, Cherry Lane and the Square;
• Develop partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to share bandwidth and costs associated with expanding the network;
• Be an economic development tool which attracts and retains businesses and customers;
• Create a wireless infrastructure needed to attract and retain young professionals;
• Reduce the digital divide helping everyone gain access to high-speed broadband service; and
• Create a wireless broadband network without being a burden on taxpayers.

How we do it

Y-FI uses an affordable method to implement a scalable network servicing many of the residents of York City. The network is a built on a sustainable model allowing for relatively simple maintenance; thus, encouraging expansion and growth. By using the open source Robin-Mesh network software on low cost hardware, the network is able to share high-speed Internet with the areas around it.

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