freespots is the wi-fi Strategy for the Saint John region that encourages the growth of wi-fi hotspots throughout the city to cover the majority of public access areas in a short period of time. By encouraging businesses and property owners to invest in this relatively low cost service, the city will benefit by creating an attractive business environment that enables citizens and visitors to work and play online from anywhere they choose. It is our expectation that unlimited widespread access to wi-fi is in our near future and we wish to speed its growth by promoting and encouraging those who invest in this strategy. There are no fees required to participate.
freespots encourages local businesses to install and maintain wi-fi access points according to an established standard and promotes participating businesses and city property owners that have installed wi-fi hotspots according to the standard. This web site has been developed to feature participating locations and various venues and events will promote the strategy and its participants over the long term. Locations can be registered as freespots at any time.
What is Wi-Fi?
A high-speed wireless network that provides access to the Internet, generally within a limited range (usually about 150 feet) of the transmission equipment. It enables a person with a wireless-enabled computer or personal digital assistant (PDA) to connect to the Internet when in proximity of an access point. The geographical region covered by one or several access points is called a hotspot. The brand, freespots, plays with the "hotspot" name and the "free" concept of the strategy.
Community Marketing - How It Works
A name brand, logo, and marketing strategy has been established and a public launches and press releases are used periodically to promote participating businesses and areas of the city that have installed wi-fi hotspots according to the established standard. This web site has also been developed to feature participating freespots and the businesses that own them.
The freespots logo communicates that the public can get online wirelessly, with no barriers, and for free at any location displaying the logo.
Participants install and maintain a wi-fi hotspot which meets a basic standard of setup and use. freespots is promoted as a community-wide initiative. Businesses are welcome to share sponsorship of their freespots with surrounding businesses under their own private arrangements as long as the service and promotion of it to the public is consistent with the community standard.
Long Term Growth
freespots is supported by the efforts of a volunteer wi-fi committee of the Saint John Board of Trade. The mandate of this committee is to encourage the growth of the network amoung Board Members and use of the network by the public at large.
