Montevallo going wireless
Published 2:27 pm Thursday, May 7, 2009
The city of Montevallo has entered into an agreement with a wireless Internet service provider to install the technology in city-owned buildings.
Mayor Ben McCrory said the city struck a deal with provider Got-WiFi last month. Wireless Internet service will first be installed at Montevallo City Hall and Montevallo Fire Station No. 1. If there are no glitches at these two locations, the project will expand, McCrory said.
“If those two buildings make the two-week test, we’ll have wireless in every city building – fire stations, libraries, senior citizens center, the department of public works, the water department, the police department and American Village,” McCrory said. “It’s supposed to be high-speed wireless Internet service.”
McCrory said the technology will cost the city $150 per installation. Got-WiFi will begin work at city hall and fire station No. 1 next week.
Got-WiFi is also opening a digital café downtown at 635 Main St. May 15, according to the provider’s Web site.
McCrory said Got-WiFi plans to offer its service to business owners and residents for a fee. The city will charge Got-WiFi a franchise fee to offer its service to the public, similar to franchise fees charged to cable television providers.
“You’re beginning to see wireless Internet everywhere, and I think it’s important for us to stay up do date,” McCrory said. “We’d like to see all of Montevallo wireless, but it’d be up to the citizens whether they take it or not.”
For more information, visit the Web site got-wifi.com.