New Orleans, which is still struggling to get back on its feet after being ravaged by a hurricane, is on track for its rebirth as it becomes the first state in the United States to set up the first free wireless Internet
network that is owned and run by a major city. This was a decision made to boost the city’s ruined economy.

The move was spearheaded by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

Actually similar projects had been proposed elsewhere but have always been stalled or shot down because of very stiff opposition from telephone and cable television companies whose aim is to nip in the bud any kind of competition especially from public agencies.

The free wireless internet system has already started operation in the city’s central business district as well as the French Quarter. The free service is expected to become available throughout the city within a year.

Putting up a wireless network in a large area can pose a challenge to the most talented IT professionals. But these professionals have found an ingenious way of hiding the WiFi equipment by mounting the hardware on street lights to camouflage them.

As long as the state of emergency is placed on the city, the system would offer a speed of 512 kilobits per second. It is expected to be slowed down to 128 kbps when the state of emergency is lifted in accordance to restrictions given to government-owned internet services.

Most of the equipment has been donated by three companies: Intel Corp., Tropos Networks and Pronto Networks.