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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNew York City Will Turn Every Payphone Into A Free WiFi Hotspot
New York City Will Turn Every Payphone Into A Free WiFi Hotspot
BY LAUREN C. WILLIAMS POSTED ON NOVEMBER 18, 2014 AT 9:46 AM
New York City announced plans Monday to reconfigure all of the citys decrepit payphones into WiFi hot spots starting in 2015, a move that reinforces President Obamas net neutrality proposal: That internet access is a basic right, not a privilege.
The LinkNYC plan replaces the citys payphones with up to 10,000 standalone towers that offer passersby free WiFi and nationwide calling, and a charging station. The conversion plan has not been approved by the citys Franchise and Concession Review Committee, a city regulator that ensures city plans comply with laws and regulations.
If approved, City Bridge and a team of New York-based companies, including the citys biggest payphone operator Titan, will start the digital migration next year.
Twenty percent of New Yorkers dont have high-speed internet access at home and 11 percent dont have a computer, according to 2013 Census data. Nationwide, one in four U.S. households dont have a paid internet subscription, and another 16 percent dont have Internet access at home, work or school, or on mobile devices, according to Census data. And those Americans without access are overwhelmingly minorities and seniors.
Minorities disproportionately use mobile devices as a primary means to access the Internet. Only 62 percent of African Americans have a broadband Internet connection at home, compared to 87 percent of white households, Pew found. But while only half of African-Americans and Hispanics own smartphones, theyre significantly more likely to use the devices to access the Internet over their white counterparts.
MORE:
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/11/18/3593299/new-york-city-wifi-payphones/
PeoViejo
(2,178 posts)As long as the Android Operating system is working and the cell has Wi-Fi capability. Mine works fine, even if I run out of service time or minutes.
Someone could buy a used cell that is working, but without a service plan and still be able to use the Internet. It's just like a mini-Tablet.
I know all of you know this already, but I just wanted to put it out there in the hopes it might help someone.
pstokely
(10,533 posts)Last edited Wed Nov 19, 2014, 11:43 AM - Edit history (1)
but after they're activated, they will work on WiFi without a SIM card
PeoViejo
(2,178 posts)I recently had to upgrade my old dumb cell, so I purchased a Android Powered unit from Tracfone. Before I activated it, I wanted to make sure everything worked and the settings were the way I wanted them. I activated the Wi-Fi and was able to immediately log-on, so I checked-out the Bluetooth and that worked as well. So, for a couple of Days, I just used it as a mini-tablet, then activated the phone.
For $60, anyone can go in and buy one and use it without ever spending another dime. You just need a hotspot to connect to.
pstokely
(10,533 posts)my Verizon android phone needs a SIM card to activate it, but works on Wifi without it after it's activated
PeoViejo
(2,178 posts)Peeps just have to try it and see.
Mine is a Samsung. Verizon is the Carrier that handles Tracfone here.
Orrex
(63,263 posts)I can access my Comcast-driven wireless router @ home, and I can tap into any free WiFi service at restaurants and other venues.
I've had it for over three years and have never had a SIM card.
PeoViejo
(2,178 posts)Turns of the ability of the phone to transmit. It also turns off the Wi-Fi. It's just a matter of going into settings and turning the Wi-Fi on and leaving the phone disabled. That limits the ability for anyone to hack your Cell using the phone. Turning off the ability of the phone to handle Data also tightens security.