Wi-Fi developer offers month of free access

The first rule of free Internet: You do not talk about free Internet.

That is the condensed version of the message delivered to the Yuma City Council by Mark Rigney, director of market operations for Kite Networks, the firm that is developing a citywide Wi-Fi network in Yuma. Kite plans to offer free Internet access to anyone in the city in April while it tweaks the system for its public rollout May 1.

"This isn't something we publicize," Rigney said.

Rigney said any computers that can access wireless Internet networks will be able to sign on for free while technicians work to maximize the service. Kite will test the system during that period with hopes of having it ready for paid subscribers in May.

While Rigney seemed confident about the opening date, Kite still has a lot of work to do. The first access points -- the communication devices placed on streetlights to carry the signal -- are expected to be received in Yuma this week. Kite has selected locations for equipment and laid out a possible grid, but it does not have permission in many cases.

"The difficulty is getting the leasing agreements," Rigney said.

The access points will be installed in four phases, but Rigney said the plan is to have the entire city operational in only a few months. A delay is not out of the question since the initial projections were for the network to be operational last year.

After May 1, people will be able to use two hours of free Internet each day at the West Wetlands, old downtown, Smucker Park and the Deyo Complex. They will need to provide a credit card to use it, Rigney said.

While the network is behind its initial schedule, it hasn't meant any loss of funds for the city or its residents. Rigney said the beauty of the public/private partnership is that Kite assumes the risk and has an incentive to make it successful.

"We have to make this system work because our jobs and lives depend on it," he said.

Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858.