Fulton Mall WiFi

Would you like to join the "City of Fresno Free WiFi Project" open network? Yes. Yes I would.

As promised in his State of the City address, Mayor Autry has managed to install WiFi on Fulton Plaza and on Kern Street. The Malls' Wifi runs between Fresno and Tulare Street, or if you're really picky, from Factory 2 U to the Goodwill. The antenna rests on top of the clock tower, like a proud beacon for the future of a wired Fresno. Kern Street has antennas near Van Ness and the already WiFi'd Kern Street Coffee, Olive Press, and Fagan's Irish Pub.

Signal strength varies, and there are a few glitches with the network security certificate, but it's progress. Installing WiFi in the Downtown core was one of the recommendations of the Creative Economy Council.

This blog post made possible by the free WiFi on the Fulton Mall.

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Wi Fi Kern Street

I am using a Presario V2000 Compaq laptop which has wifi search features. (I recognizes all wifi singles in range.)

I have been able to log onto the wife on kern street once only in over 3 weeks in trying.

I talked to Rob who I was told was working the project. He said it was having problems several times.

Since then Ive tried, but been unable to logon. My computer is able to log onto all free wifi and mcDonalds Way Port as well. But as for the city of Fresno program? I've given up.

The city doesn't even have electrical outlets necessary for a good wifi city.

Sorry Fresno as for a grade? D- (at least you tried)

Famous Guest's picture

wifi project

I believe the Wifi is powered by Unwired Broadband, Inc. of Fresno. I use the wifi at Chukchansi park and I get a full signal -- and when it's working, which is 90% of the time, it's fast. When it stops working, it starts again in a few minutes. Anyway, works fast and gets a great signal at Chukchansi park. Glad to know Unwired Broadband, which is a local Fresno company, is the one behind. Hopefully most of Fresno core can get covered.

Famous Guest's picture

Downtown Wireless

I am excited to see so many people talking about wireless in fresno. My company Mystic Technologies originally installed the wireless system, but unfortunately it was very shortly taken over by the city. After the city of fresno project I started a new company Launch WiFi Inc. and we are trying to bring free wireless internet to as many people as possible. We are working on a complete tower area coverage with the support of local businesses. If anyone would like to help with getting more coverage and businesses involved please let me know in this forum. Or just email us at info@launchwifi.com

Famous Guest's picture

wow too

I'm so amazed by a lot of these posts that I have to post again. I had no idea that there were so many racist, ignorant, and gutless people in Fresno. I live downtown with my wife and child, work downtown, and do most of my shopping downtown. I have never been the victim of any kind of crime, nor have I been harassed by by the police. I have plenty of money and personal property that could be stolen, but I take responsibility for my own safety and for my belongings. In fact, I've had property stolen from me when I lived up north and none downtown. I feel more threatened by people in Riverpark than I do at C Street and Fresno. And yes, racists, I'm European American.

This part of town needs some help for sure. We need a better solution for the homeless community and we need economic revitalization to improve the living conditions in some of the neighborhoods.

Anyone who is afraid to come downtown has lived a sheltered, irresponsible life. Are you afraid to see poor people? Are you afraid to be near people who look different from you?

Come downtown. Come to an event. Meet people. Walk around. Realize that the world's problems don't go away by ignoring them.

Downtowner's picture

Your post is racist in many

Your post is racist in many ways and isn't at all funny.

Downtowner's picture

?

by the lack of submission name, i think it isnt a joke. sadly.

La Chola aka JoeJoe's picture

I went thru the drive-thru

I went thru the drive-thru today at Wendy's near FCC and they had a sticker that said they have Free WiFi.

johne's picture

address

Java Wava
1940 N Echo Ave
Fresno, CA

As for this post:

"I hope its in a nice location. NOT DOWNTOWN. I'm a Whitey...its ok to say that..I live north of Herndon.

I don't have a problem dropping some coin on an espresso or two. But If I have to ask a minority friend to make me a "Shank" I'd be concerned about my health, let alone my laptop.

Love!"

This post is so fucking stupid, i hope it's just a joke.

press2901's picture

Where is it.

I hope its in a nice location. NOT DOWNTOWN. I'm a Whitey...its ok to say that..I live north of Herndon.

I don't have a problem dropping some coin on an espresso or two. But If I have to ask a minority friend to make me a "Shank" I'd be concerned about my health, let alone my laptop.

Love!

Famous Guest's picture

Where is Java Wava

Does this place really exist. Post more info.

Famous Guest's picture

Java Wava

I think Java Wava has free wifi. The Grind may have it too. Even though it's free, i think it's best if you support the business' that offer it.

If i come across any other places I'll post them here.

press2901's picture

Who else in town has free

Who else in town has free wifi. I can go to Blackstone & Shields and sit at either Red Robin or Mc Donalds and use the Best Western's wifi.

We all know Starbucks has its T-Mobile Hot Spot, but unless your a subscriber its gonna leave a $9.95 hot spot on your credit card.

Post where you know there is free access.

Famous Guest's picture

Wow

I visit the Mall at least a couple times a week, not once have I been assaulted by Police. Nor have i seen the "jack boot thugs." , although some of the clothing stores on the mall seem to be trying to cater to them. Why i will never know, why would you want to attract that kind of customer. Different strokes for different folks i guess.

"The whole problem in downtown is its degenerated feel."

I almost agree with this statement, except not all downtown feels degenerated. Kern St looks rather nice all the way from the old Fagans bar to the Federal Courthouse. But I definitely agree the mall is in desperate need of money to fix all of it's problems. The Chinatown area of downtown is not a place I want to be at night. It too needs some investment whether it's private or gov..

press2901's picture

wow

i go downtown quite a bit. not every day, and realistically, not every week. but i do go several times a month. i've never had the fresno police steal my money. then again, i try to avoid having the police stop me. the last time i was stopped by the police, i was driving (on the freeway) and was speeding. my bad, not theirs. the money that they took from me, it was a punishment for breaking the law.

sorry if you've had a much different experience. from your comment, it seems like you have.

as for having the courthouse, jail, police department, sheriff's dept, etc. near the fulton mall, i never give it a thought. except when i've had jury duty. then it makes it extremely convenient to show up for jury duty, park, sit until i'm dismissed, eat lunch, and go home.

when i've strolled the mall, eaten lunch, bought clothes, and so on, i've never felt like there was the presence of "jack boot thugs." maybe that's just me. i felt like there was a fair amount of police/security guards for the average amount of people on the mall.

edluv's picture

You're missing the point

and thinking in a very "old fresno" way. "Project XYZ will save downtown." It's not about any one project bringing people downtown. Offering wifi in major public areas - that's what innovative cities are doing today. It SAYS SOMETHING about Fresno, especially to newcomers. And if we don't offer these things it also sends a message. It shows that Fresno is a city that is working to be more friendly to "knowledge workers" which (like it or not) the mayor and the rest of the council have said is a priority.

Your mention of libraries vs. mall wifi is what is called a "false choice". You know as well as anyone that the CITY of Fresno is responsible for the wifi downtown, and the COUNTY is responsible for the public libraries.

Famous Guest's picture

Don't own a tv. Don't find

Don't own a tv. Don't find the mall scary. I love to walk around and give away change.

Wi-fi along the mall will not bring revitalization and people to downtown. Those resources would have been better spent bringing wi-fi to the main and rural libraries. Outlets, tables, chairs, a/c, makes sense. I am sure businesses along the mall would be glad to use free internet, but if the mayors plan was to bring more people downtown I think it was misguided.

Famous Guest's picture

Oh please

Yeah, watch out, downtown is SCARY!!!!

Booo!!!

Better stay home and watch tv

Famous Guest's picture

stabbed

Will the city offer extra officers on the mall so I don't get beaten or stabbed for my laptop? I would rather see this money and technology in use at the local libraries. But I guess government workers can now look at porn at lunch on their own time.

fotomatique's picture

Same problem

I work for the Grizzlies, and from the seats I get a strong signal but can't connect (using either a pc or an apple). Any suggestions on settings I may need to change would be great. Thanks.

Andrew's picture

Wi-Fi not working

Jonathan - Just thought I let you know the service was not working for me on 6/25. I was near an antenna at Fulton Mall by Grizzlies stadium. I had 5 full bars and I just could not log on.

Ryan's picture

can we help?

That's fantastic news RE the daily fixes. Is there somewhere we can submit bug reports? I would like to help however I can to see the bugs worked out and a secure wifi system in place.

suzi's picture

WiFi Response

Good to know that everyone is testing our our install. Be sure to check back in from time to time because the system is being updated almost everyday for improvements.

Jonathan Lawrence
Mystic Technologies

Famous Guest's picture

SF city wide Wi Fi

Not yet. They have sent out RFP's though.

Joe Moore's picture

fantastic

That's soooo funny, I was looking out my office window and saw this big ass antennae sticking out of the arbor, i was like, is that wi-fi? Sad thing is, my laptop broke 3 days ago!

The revolution will not be televised...the fresnolution will not be censored!

Jason's picture

cool

that's great. maybe someday they'll manage city wide. doesn't sf have city wide free wifi? maybe i'm crazy, but i thought i heard that.

edluv's picture

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