Both Union Montreal and Vision Montreal have an element on their platforms that some technologically-inclined Montrealers might find interesting: free (or cheap) wireless Internet access in public parks and other public areas.
The idea isn’t new. The city first approached the volunteer group Ile Sans Fil more than two years ago to talk about setting up such a system. Ile Sans Fil provides free wireless Internet through more than 150 access points in the city, most through places like coffee shops who pay ISF a small fee.
The city has even conducted studies and hearings on the subject, and a presentation given in November 2007 resulted in only one comment, in support of the project. In a report, filed at the beginning of 2008 (PDF), the city’s commission on economic development recommended setting up a network with Ile Sans Fil.
For various reasons internal to the city’s operation, this issue has been sitting on a shelf since then. ISF even appealed to the public in August 2008, (perhaps prematurely), though specifying that the group wasn’t in danger if the deal fell through. ISF were expecting a call for tenders earlier this year on a free wifi project, which it would then bid on and be a clear favourite for, but it never came.
Both Tremblay and Harel should be somewhat embarrassed to have this on their platforms. Tremblay because the city hasn’t acted on this yet despite the preliminary work being done, and Harel because it was an idea of the Tremblay administration that her party has now stolen.
Here in Mississauga all you need is a library card to access Wireless Mississauga. Free WiFi in most public buildings, community centres, museums, arenas and libraries. Some of the signal spills into adjacent park areas.
Ile sans fil sounds much nicer than Wireless Mississauga.
http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/services/wireless
Paris already has that but it is so slow it’s not as popular as one might expect.
Steve, we’ve had it for some time now in parc Jarry (though I’m certainly not going to work there today). Also at Centre Loisirs communautaire Lajeunesse, on Lajeunesse just north of rue de Castelnau. There are usually people on their laptops in the main hall there, seemingly oblivious to all the seniors playing bingo, doing tai chi or social dancing.
morcego, glad to hear about Paris despite the slowness – hope that improves. It would be useful for doing e-mail anyway, and sending work one has done offline without having to go to an internet café.
Ile san fils’ been available in Jarry Park, or a part of it, for years.
Île sans fil is a non-profit organisation manage by volonteers. Since 2004, we connected 187 public places (so far), we got more than 120 000 user (getting 4000 more each month). We help transfer near 100TB in download and 20TB in upload since our fondation. We looking for new blood to help us maintaining the network and getting new idea. Everyone is welcome. Look on the website for more information. We usually meet every second and fourth wednesday of each month.
Projet Montreal’s commitment 7.23 aims to expand wireless Internet coverage. Their program was adopted in May, it’s available on their site: http://www.projetmontreal.org/en/ .