Now that the District of Squamish's downtown wireless internet system is implementing a test phase, residents and visitors can surf the web along Cleveland Avenue from Main Street to Pemberton Avenue.Convenience is rarely without cost, however. Interim rates for public access are $8.95 per day and $25 per week, according to the district's Fees and Charges Bylaw."We want to make sure it's not in competition with other providers," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. Currently, one of the main purposes for the new Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) system is to provide district employees like those in emergency services with a network anytime it is needed, said District of Squamish Chief Technology Officer Garry Broeckling. "But it seems foolish to put a system like this in place without looking at the public use of it as well," he said.The public can access district internet via laptop and other wireless devices by connecting to the Wisq ("Wireless Internet Squamish") network and submitting a credit card number. But the district will not be marketing the core as a Wi-Fi hotspot for another year when internal testing is completed and a decision is made on how best to offer access.A business model may be developed with the Chamber of Commerce in the future that involves providing free internet access tokens for various events, said Broeckling. Sutherland said it is important to offer internet access to tourists and business people, especially with the Olympics fast approaching."It's something we will offer for convenience because certainly there are a lot of business people, people on vacation and people who travel here on a regular basis," he said."When people are away on business they need to check on the office and check their emails and check on other things so if they can do it by sitting in the car on Cleveland Avenue it will give them more reason to come into the downtown and spend time in Squamish." Other possible uses for downtown internet access include community event planning, support for non-profit organizations, parking and water meter reading as well as alarm system and video camera support.
