In New York, began to deploy public gigabit Wi-Fi

A few days ago, workers in New York began installing the first access points for the LinkNYC public network. It was first announced in November 2014. The installed hubs were designed as an updated replacement for standard telephone booths, which I can use the updated infrastructure to provide public access to a gigabit Wi-Fi network, which should cover the entire Big Apple. In the photo below you can see the installation of a new cabin near the small Starbucks, near Manhattan. About 500 other such booths should appear in the city by mid-July 2016. The test mode of the hubs will last about two weeks, after which anyone can use them to go online.



In total, the network will consist of more than 7500 cabins. After completion of assembly and installation, the hubs will provide the ability to charge via USB and surf the Internet, and will also be equipped with two 55-inch advertising displays. Advertising, displayed on the hub’s displays, according to the calculations of the city authorities, will be able to bring more than $ 500 million over the next 12 years.

They also planned to use bluetooth beacons, which could potentially be used to track pedestrians and deliver ads. But this idea had to be abandoned after it was made public and did not receive approval.

According to a statement in November 2014, the construction of the network was supposed to begin "next year." They managed to keep the promise by starting the installation just a couple of days before the new year. Implementing additional functionality, such as built-in surf tablets, map display, free phone calls, may take a little longer. On the enclosed brochures, they are marked as "will be added soon."