WHAT IS ALBANY FREENET?

Albany FreeNet is a free, high-speed wireless ("WiFi") Internet service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to a growing number of residences, businesses and public spaces in the City of Albany. Any WiFi enabled device, such as laptop computers, smart phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), can connect to the Internet via the Albany FreeNet WiFi signal at speeds typically much faster than cellular and some wire-based services.

There is no limit on how long Albany FreeNet can be used, but there is a 200MB daily data limit. A user can sign on as many times as they like anytime between 12am and 11:59pm each day until their total data usage (downloads and uploads) for that day reaches 200MB.

Tech Valley Communications also offers a premium wireless Internet service called Wink High Speed Internet. Wink is even faster than Albany FreeNet and has some additional features including a compact, easy to install wireless modem that increases security and boosts connections from indoors to the wireless network outside. There’s a roaming-only option as well called Wink To Go. Revenues from Wink help us sustain the ongoing operation of Albany FreeNet.

Albany FreeNet was launched in late 2006 through a public-private partnership between the City of Albany and Tech Valley Communications (TVC). A significant expansion of the wireless network in the Arbor Hill, West Hill, South End and Delaware Avenue neighborhoods was completed in May 2010 with funding from a New York State Universal Broadband Access Grant administered by the New York State Chief Information Officer/Officer for Technology (CIO/OFT).

TVC, the City, and a coalition of community organizations, are also increasing the scope of this broadband initiative, called "ALLbany Online." Digital literacy classes presented at a network of Community Technology Centers (CTCs) and a resource hub with virtual workforce development programming accessible via the Albany FreeNet portal will be provided at no cost along with heavily subsidized Wi-Fi enabled desktop computer systems. Click here for more ALLbany Online resources.

About Tech Valley Communications

Tech Valley Communications, headquartered in Albany NY, is a leading provider of voice, data and high-speed Internet services in upstate New York's ‘Tech Valley.’ Tech Valley Communications owns and operates hundreds of miles of fiber optic cable connecting commercial office buildings throughout the region to its signature FirstLight® fiber-to-the-premise service.

Tech Valley Communications has experienced steady, organic growth since forming in 1999, expanding its local presence through the successful acquisition of GFC Communications in 2000 and its combination with Mid-Hudson Communications in August 2002. Tech Valley Communications has received the NYS Public Service Commission’s Commendation for Excellent Service each of the past six years.

Learn more at www.techvalleycom.com