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NYC says, “Wi-Fi for all!”

By: Lexi Herman

    Late last year, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city’s approval of LinkNYC.  LinkNYC is a communications network that will provide free, high-speed internet access to New Yorkers in all five boroughs.  Beginning in late 2015, old pay phone terminals will be updated using new technology that will allow users to make free phone calls, but will also enable anyone to connect to the internet.  The network is being hailed as the fastest municipal Wi-Fi in the nation.  Finally, it will not cost the taxpayers of New York a dime; rather it will be funded by advertising revenues.

  For many New Yorkers, this is a dream come true.  Areas that have never had high-speed internet access will now have access to gigabit Wi-Fi which is said to be 100 times faster than the average public Wi-Fi and 20 times faster than the average home Wi-Fi network offered in New York City.  Anecdotal evidence suggests that someone will be able to download a two-hour HD movie in as little as 30 seconds.  According to Kiva Allgood, Vice President of Business Development at Qualcomm, who recently gave a presentation at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Summer Meeting; said this network, LinkNYC, can do much, much more.  Not only will this put New York on the map for municipal high-speed internet, it will also aim to break the digital divide that has become more pronounced in recent years. 

    That is not all LinkNYC will do.  LinkNYC will also be a job creator; since the network will require numerous workers to manufacture and service the new terminals.  Between manufacturing and support, it is estimated that LinkNYC will create 800 new jobs.  In addition, the network is expected to bring in over $500 million in revenue over the next 12 years.  Finally, these terminals are expected to aid in public safety by providing a way to communicate in real-time with 911 and 311 services. 

    Even with all of the “pros” associated with LinkNYC, it is important to look at the cons, including the legal ramifications of this ground-breaking technology.   First, the terminals will include free charging stations for mobile devices; but how safe is this in an environment where the MTA is continuously reminding riders not to display their smart phones and tablets?  Or when, just a few weeks ago, a man was stabbed while trying to prevent a thief from stealing his smartphone on a Washington D.C. metro.  The safety of the user’s belongings did come up when Ms. Allgood was giving her presentation and she noted that there will be video cameras attached to the terminals.  However, this does nothing to ease concerns that there could be an increase in the theft of smart devices once the structures become operational. 

    Another legal concern has to do with the privacy of the terminals.  LinkNYC network boasts about their 150 foot Wi-Fi range, yet the concern which has not been addressed is this: How will it deter a digital thief from gaining someone’s personal information on such a fast connection?  Dell Computer published an article on its website that explained just how easy it is for someone to access a person’s private information via public Wi-Fi.  The problem with using public Wi-Fi, according to Dell, is that data is being sent via radio waves to a router which can be easily intercepted by a hacker. 

    Another problem with open Wi-Fi is something called “piggy backing.”  That is, someone else using a Wi-Fi network that does not require authorization and uses it.  Many argue this is a “victimless crime”, but what happens when one uses it to engage in bad acts?  For example, what if someone uses an open Wi-Fi attached to your billing address to download child pornography or illegally downloading music?  Could you be arrested?  You could be. 

    To address these concerns, LinkNYC, will offer an encrypted network connection which, according to Dell’s website, helps in protecting consumers against fraud.  For those who are still concerned for their privacy, Dell recommends not logging into sites that require passwords or entering personal information like credit card or social security numbers. 

    This is incredible opportunity to move NYC into the future.  It is also admirable to take old, outdated infrastructure and refurbish it in a way which helps to close the digital divide[1], create jobs and bring in millions of dollars in revenue.  What are your thoughts?

A picture of a model LinkNYC terminal.