Downtown Scottsdale welcomes Wi-Fi today

Peter Corbett The Arizona Republic Apr. 7, 2006 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE - Mayor Mary Manross is expected to cut a ceremonial wire this morning, officially launching downtown Scottsdale's wireless computer service.

The wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, network was installed by Scottsdale-based Wildfire Broadband Wireless Communications Inc. to serve an area bordered by 68th Street and Chaparral, Osborn and Miller roads.

"It's gratifying to see the community accept us," said Hal Halpin, Wildfire chief operating officer.

Wildfire has more than 60 subscriptions, he said.

Computer users and those with hand-held wireless devices can access the Internet anywhere downtown by connecting to the Wi-Fi network and paying an hourly, daily or monthly fee.

The Wi-Fi network allows free access to about 30 Web sites, including the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau and Scottsdale Center for the Arts.

The wire-cutting ceremony is at 9:30 a.m. at Fifth Avenue and Marshall Way.