Mayor Mike Bloomberg at a news conference, Jan. 8, 2013 in New York, where Google and The Chelsea Improvement Company announced free free Wi-Fi in Chelsea. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
By KAREN MATTHEWS
NEW YORK (AP) — Google said Tuesday it is teaming up with a New York City neighborhood business group to provide the company's first urban Wi-Fi network.
The network will be available free to about a 10-block area surrounding Google's offices in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, where Google has more than 3,000 employees. The area also is home to other tech companies, as well as high-end hotels and nightclubs and a housing project with more than 2,000 tenants.
"Google is proud to provide free Wi-Fi in the neighborhood we have called home for over six years," said Ben Fried, Google's chief information officer, who joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer for the announcement at an outdoor courtyard across the street from the company offices.
Google has free Wi-Fi in Mountain View, Calif., where it is based, and in a handful of cities where it has data centers such as Council Bluffs, Iowa, and The Dalles, Ore.
In New York, Google and the Chelsea Improvement Company are paying for the network, which cost $115,000 to set up and will cost $45,000 a year to operate. Wi-Fi, which allows for a connection to the Internet without the use of cellular service, would be free outdoors and in some indoor spaces such as a senior center.
Schumer demonstrated Tuesday that he was using the network to read his talking points on a tablet.
"This is a great, great thing for New York," the New York Democrat said.
Schumer said it would make sense to wire the entire city, and Bloomberg said Schumer should secure the federal funds to do it. The mayor, the billionaire founder of Bloomberg LLC, has tried to position New York as a high-tech center to rival Silicon Valley.
Fried noted that New York is Google's second-largest office in the world.
"Second is not a word we like," Bloomberg said. "You could make it your biggest office and we would be thrilled."
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:00 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:00:59 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:26:30 GMT
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:47 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:47:11 GMT
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones.
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones, impacting the entrances for homeowners and tenants.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:33:47 GMT
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
Mayor Mike Bloomberg at a news conference, Jan. 8, 2013 in New York, where Google and The Chelsea Improvement Company announced free free Wi-Fi in Chelsea. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
