Taylor Engel, a freshman at Chattanooga State Community College, comes to Greyfriar's coffeehouse almost every day, pulls out her laptop and studies.
One reason? Free Internet access in a quiet atmosphere, she said. "It's easier getting work done when I'm not around my family."
Staff Photo by Angela Lewis
Ginny Barnes uses the Wi-Fi at Panera Bread on Gunbarrel Road.WHAT MAKES US SPECIALFree Internet access to the public at-large in an age of connectivity.WIRELESS CONNECTIONSChattanooga offers free Wi-Fi at the following locations:Miller Park and PlazaCoolidge Park21st Century WaterfrontChattanooga Municipal AirportSource: City of Chattanooga
For years, coffeehouses such as Greyfriar's and restaurants such as Krystal have offered free wireless Internet access for patrons. Topping it off, the city also offers free wireless access in Coolidge Park and Miller Park and Plaza, said Mark Keil, the city's information officer.
But with so many people now using smart phones or Internet cards, the days of expanding the city's public wi-fi access could be at a standstill.
"The Wi-Fi infrastructure is expanding as we speak," Mr. Keil said. "Just not for public access."
He said the city would look at covering pavilions at parks and areas that make sense for public access. But it is too costly for municipalities to install and maintain without being able to use it for government-related work such as public safety, he said.
And sometimes it doesn't work.In Coolidge Park, many people don't use Wi-Fi because the glare from the sun is too great, he said.
Businesses can install Wi-Fi and see returns by people using the Wi-Fi and purchasing products.
Alan Wilkes, manager for Greyfriar's, said the coffeehouse gets a lot of unintentional business because it has access. People see the free Wi-Fi sticker and come in to check e-mail and buy a cup of coffee, he said. People could use their mobile devices, but sometimes peace and quiet go a longer way.