Downtown Auburn Hills Gets Free Wi-Fi July 4

Auburn Hills city officials said Tuesday that its program to offer free Wi-Fi access in its downtown area will go live on July 4.

Under the program, high speed wireless Internet access will be free to downtown businesses, visitors and residents.

The decision to implement a free Wi-Fi network follows the recommendations of the city's 2009 HyettPalma economic enhancement strategy for the downtown area. which outlined action steps to make downtown Auburn Hills a desirable destination by increasing business development, making public improvements, and marketing and managing the Downtown.

"The Wi-Fi introduction is one more tool in the toolkit to enhance the image and marketability of downtown Auburn Hills," said Auburn Hills assistant city manager Tom Tanghe.

Added City Manager Pete Auger: "With the addition of Wi-Fi, the city expands its vision of creating a downtown destination spot and helps attract business development and new and returning visitors while providing a valuable service to the Downtown community as a whole."

Following an open bid process, the city selected Auburn Hills-based Netarx as the Wi-Fi vendor. Netarx uses Cisco equipment, which aligns with the city's Cisco-based IT system. Netarx is also the IT support company for the city and therefore extremely knowledgeable about the city's current systems. The Wi-Fi project is funded by the city's Tax Increment Finance Authority.

© MMX WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved.