Areas offer Wi-Fi service

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jim McGuire

Wireless Internet service is now available throughout the Glove Cities’ downtowns and along the Route 30A arterial, according to the phone company Frontier.

Frontier spokeswoman Karen Miller said the company went with a soft launch of the service — a press release — and plans a bigger rollout when the weather breaks.

People can purchase wireless Internet access by the day for $9.99 or for 30 days for $30.

Miller said the company did not provide the service at Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

“It’s basically the downtown area from both communities and the arterial,” she said.

The service is relatively new. Frontier also provides it in Norwich, a college in Chenango County and several other communities and colleges throughout the country.

Miller said the service allows residents and visitors in the coverage area to log onto the Internet from home, work or while traveling.

In Gloversville, the Open Window Gift Shop and Cafe, Fulton Computer Co. and Fulton Book Co. offer customers free wireless Internet service.

Still, Dave Gibson of Fulton Computer Co. said the new service will be a welcome upgrade.

“I think it’s great that Frontier has brought wireless downtown. It’s another option for people who live and work here. It’s also less expensive than their regular DSL on a monthly basis,” Gibson said Wednesday.

He said while the Open Window and his shops have Wi-Fi, its range is limited and it’s available only during business hours.

“As a practical matter, anyone downtown can use this wireless service. That’s handy for anyone with a laptop and who moves around town, of course, but also good for people who want to save a few bucks on Internet access,” Gibson added.

Wally Hart, president of the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also praised the new service.

“Frontier continues to be supportive of our chamber, its members and our community, and this is evidenced in this investment,” he said.

“What an asset for our residents and visitors, to be able to access the power of this broadband network while in our businesses and our region,” Hart said.

Passes and more information is available online at www.frontiermobile.com.