Wi-Fi Kankakee, LLC.

Kankakee's 'Going Mobile'

Downtown to be WiFi hotspot

When Kankakee's wireless access goes live, those with compatible electronic devices will be able to hop on the Internet from outdoor places such as the Farmer's Market or city parks. And, with the addition of simple devices, they'll be able to bring WiFi into their homes or businesses.

What you need:

Most current versions of laptop computers and handheld devices are WiFi ready. Jumping onto the system would be as easy as "flipping a switch."
Some older generation devices can be made compatible by installing a wireless adapter card, purchased for about $70.
To bring WiFi into your home, you need an external connection, such as a cable modem that would connect to a device that would act as a hub, router and access point, and a WiFi radio card. Cost to develop such a wireless system would be about $150.

Where will I find a hotspot?

The first phase of Kankakee's WiFi coverage, which should go live by the end of May, will extend from Chestnut to Water streets and from Washington to Iliinois avenues. As more towers are added to the network, service will extend into the city's east side. Eventually towers will be placed at Kankakee Community College, bringing WiFi to the Oak Orthopedic Sports Arena, Splash Valley, River Road park softball fields and Prairie Walk subdivision. A fourth phase will extend the service to Interstate 57 at Exit 308.

Finding hotspots can be done several ways. Web sites such as wi-fi.org or jwire.com list hotspots for specific zip codes. WiFi detection devices are available at electronics stores or online at sites such as amazon.com.

What devices will work with WiFi?

Wireless access will be available not only for laptop computers but for hundreds of items, including cell phones and hand-held data devices such as BlackBerrys and Palm Pilots.

Thanks to hot spots, boaters on the Kankakee River will soon be able to check their e-mail or surf the 'Net while they're cruising the river. Newer generation cell phones will be WiFi-ready, as will hand-held games such as Nintendo and Sony's PlayStation Portable, said Wade LeBeau, information services director for the Small Newspaper Group, parent company of The Daily Journal. In the near future, High Definition TVs, DVD players and Internet radios all will utilize the growing number of WiFi hotspots throughout the country, he said.

Voice over Internet, which supplies telephone service without involving the major telephone companies, and webmail are two other possibilities.

How much will it cost?

In Kankakee, the first 15 hours of WiFi service will be free. After that, subscribers will pay about $20 per month to use the service, LeBeau said.

More information:

www.wi-fikankakee.org or call (815) 802-5277.
www.wi-fi.org.

~ Kristin Szremski