LANSING, Mich.-SBC Communications Inc. said it will begin providing access to its FreedomLink Wi-Fi service at 10 state parks in Michigan as part of the state’s MiWiFi project designed to provide wireless Internet access for Michigan residents and travelers at docks, rest areas and welcome centers around the state.
The initial launch will include coverage at Ludington State Park, Mackinac Island State Dock, New Buffalo Welcome Center, Coldwater Welcome Center and Clarkston Rest Area by October, with the service expanding to Charles Mears State Park, Sterling State Park and East Tawas State Dock when those locations re-open in April 2005.
“We are consistently evaluating the feedback at our state parks in order to provide vacationers with the best possible experience,” said Rebecca Humphries, director of the department of natural resources. “This new service appeals to a certain segment of our population, making their trip to our parks even more convenient.”
SBC noted the service would be available for $8 per a 24-hour session or for $20 per month for access to its more than 2,300 Wi-Fi locations nationwide with a one-year term commitment. The company said it plans to deploy more than 20,000 hot spots by the end of 2006 and was working with its wireless subsidiary Cingular Wireless L.L.C. to offer customers broad coverage using a combination of wide area and local area wireless networks.
