Comcast Activates Nearly 100 WiFi Hotspots in Springfield

Published: May 24, 2013
Related to: Central eTeam

Comcast this week announced it has activated nearly 100 Wifi hotspots around the city of Springfield.

The system is one of few like it found outside of major metropolitan markets.

“This network is different from other Municipal Wi-Fi or mesh networks in that each access point is designed to be directly connected to a wired internet connection,” said Brian Webster, telecom project coordinator for Broadband Illinois. “The wireless signals do not have to hop from access point to access point before the data is routed to the internet.”

Tim Landis, business editor for the Springfield State Journal-Register filed a report on the service on Friday.

Click here to read the full story.

The hotspots — each with a range of 300 to 500 feet — are available free of charge to anyone through July 4, according to the company announcement. Unlimited access is available to Xfinity cable customers at no added charge after that date. Other users will be allow two “complimentary,” one-hour sessions per month.

To connect to a hotspot, get your WiFi-enabled computer or device near one and look for the network named “xfinitywifi” or “CableWiFI.”

Click here to see a map of the WiFi hotspots set up in Springfield.

Downtown Springfield Inc. executive director Victoria Ringer told the State Journal-Register she is hopeful the Comcast expansion will help fill in persistent wireless gaps in the historic-commercial district.
“There isn’t an overall type of WiFi system downtown,” said Ringer. “This would be a great benefit to visitors and employees downtown.”