NEWSOM ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FREE WIRELESS NETWORK FOR TREASURE ISLAND

San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced last week the completion of a free Wi-Fi network for Treasure Island and its residents. The Treasure Island network connects over 400 units of low income and subsidized housing to free Wi-Fi; in addition it provides coverage for other residents on the former Navy Base. The latest expansion of San Francisco´s "Network of Community Networks" is made possible through a $170,000 hardware grant from Cisco Systems to the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative (TIHDI).

"We are proud to bring free Wi-Fi and computers to another underserved community in San Francisco," said Mayor Newsom. "This new network will give residents the tools to participate in the new economy that will power America´s recovery."

San Francisco´s Department of Technology (DT) installed and is managing the network as part of its commitment to expand access to free wireless Internet in low income communities. The Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) is a lead partner in this project and is working with the Treasure Island community to ensure that residents receive training and support to use this new network.

"The Treasure Island Wi-Fi network is an important step in our effort to bring broadband Internet access to all low income residents in San Francisco," said Chris Vein, CIO for the Department of Technology.

DT is working with TIHDI to enable residents to purchase low cost ($125) computers refurbished through a grant DT secured from the California Waste Management Board.

Other partners in this project include the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative (TIHDI), SFPUC, National Technology Empowerment Network (NTEN), ReliaTech, Treasure Island Good Neighbors, Goodwill, and the Internet Archive.

Over the past year, DT has created and coordinated the development of free wireless networks covering more than 3000 units at San Francisco Housing Authority developments, and at over 1350 units at non-profit developers working with Meraki, One Economy, AT&T, and other partners.