OK, so I feel like there are still a lot of open questions out there about Decatur Wi-Fi, not least of which is “why do so many people think I’m Decatur Wi-Fi tech support?”  So using the power of the internets, let’s answer some of the questions I’ve been hearing as of late.

First, I’m curious to know how many people have even tried the service.

Secondly, how many people have tried one of Get the Speed’s wireless modems to improve their signal? (like InDecatur recently did with marked improvement)

Read the rest of this entry »

According to an update to the city’s Wi-Fi page in January, our extensive wi-fi network is finally finished!

After two years of network design and construction, the City’s wireless network is complete. The network consists of 190 wireless mesh radios over approximately 4 square miles within the City limits. The radios are attached to a variety of structures including Georgia Power utility poles, traffic signal poles, city-owned poles, and government and commercial buildings.

The network provides outdoor, high-speed Internet access to devices with wireless networking capabilities. For indoor access, most users will need a device called a CPE (consumer premise equipment) or wireless modem to strengthen the signal.

There’s also a new map (above) that shows more specific signal strength along our streets.  From the looks of it, I seem to have some of the worst signal strength on our street.  Oh well, all’s fair in love and wi-fi distribution.

If most indoor users will need an extra “CPE” to have a chance of accessing the wi-fi network, I still think it would be a good idea for “Get the Speed” to have neighborhood “fairs” or something so interested residents can test it out in their homes without having to order one, find out it doesn’t work for them, and then have to return it in the mail.  That’s just too much effort for most people.

In terms of comparison shopping, if you signed up for the 12-month high-speed access plan and needed a CPE, your total monthly cost would be somewhere around $30.  That’s about 12 bucks cheaper than my current Comcast.

John recently inquired as to the status of wi-fi for the entire city of Decatur. Luckily, the city recently posted a presentation on that very topic earlier this month. In it, it is confirmed that Phase III will be completed in June/July 2008.

The presentation also includes a cool map that shows the location and status of every wifi radio in the city.

Click on it to see a full size view and determine if there’s an active wi-fi radio near your location.

Here’s the legend too…

Green-Radios installed and working
Yellow-Radios currently being installed
Blue-New poles to be installed
Purple-Radios installed, should work upon Yellow installs completed
Red-Radios installed, not working

(The closest one to me is two streets over…and with the dense forest that is Ponce Heights, my computer can’t locate it. Oh well…)

An article on The Story Atlanta seems to think so.

I’m still a bit up in the air on the whole “should government be involved in spreading the wifi wealth?” question. I’d like to see how well the full service works when it comes out of the beta phase and is extended through the entire city, before issuing my opinion to the blogo-ether.

I do think that many people are inclined to this idea, because they have an Utopian view of people spread out in the sun, enjoying YouTube videos on their Macbooks while sipping frappachinos and playing frisbee. If this view can be achieved by a local government and not a private company is yet to be seen.

Does anyone know how fast Decatur’s Wi-Fi will be? Is it A, B, G, N??

Perhaps I should do a little digging on other cities with wifi. The article references struggling networks in St. Cloud, FL and Portland, OR. Perhaps there are also successful examples?

Hattip: InDecatur

As reported a couple days ago, Decatur’s Wi-Fi service is now live. According to the city’s website the service will be in a Beta test period thru December. Until then service may be sporatic at times and email accounts won’t be available until after the Beta period is over. Click here for more details.

Below are the city’s access instructions and a current coverage area map.

How to Connect

1. Enable your wireless (WiFi) device.

2. Connect to the SSID “DecaturWiFiBETA”

3. Launch your internet browser.

4. You will be redirected to the login portal as pictured here.

Report your technical concerns to

Coverage Area Map

Map Legend

Blue/Green: Laptop coverage on street and possibly into the fronts of some buildings (-35 to-65)

Yellow: Laptop on street will most likely work (-65 to -85)

Orange: Marginal, if any, coverage (-85 to -100)

Gray: Outside coverage area