Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.

COMMITTEE RELEASES ROBERTS BILL PROMOTING
PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WIRELESS INTERNET NETWORKS
Measure Would Empower Counties to Build Wi-Fi Systems

(TRENTON) -- Legislation Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., sponsored to clearly authorize the ability of counties to build and operate publicly accessible wireless Internet networks was released today by an Assembly committee."Universal Internet access has wide educational, economic, and communal benefits," said Roberts (D-Camden). "There is no reason wireless networks should only be limited to certain homes and businesses. If individual communities and counties wish to extend such access to their residents, they should have all means possible to do so."

The Roberts bill (A-3752) would authorize counties to construct, own, and operate the broadband telecommunications infrastructure necessary for providing free or reduced-rate public access to wireless -- or "Wi-Fi" -- Internet networks. The measure would allow the networks to be financed through the issuance of local bonds to be repaid through revenues derived from providing Wi-Fi service.

In December 2006, Camden and Gloucester counties began exploring the possibility of establishing a Wi-Fi network that could make every home, business, and public space in both counties Internet accessible. The city of Elizabeth has partnered with Kean University, Union County, and two private providers to initiate a pilot program to provide free Wi-Fi service at certain high-traffic "Access Points" in the city.

The Internet service provider Earthlink currently is testing a public-private Wi-Fi project that would encompass the entire city of Philadelphia. That network is expected to go online later this year.

"Philadelphia is showing how government and business can work together to make the Internet accessible to every resident," said Roberts. "There is no reason New Jersey should not follow that lead, but on a much larger scale. Clearly, we need to keep a competitive edge."

The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee released the bill 5-1.

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FOR RELEASE:
January 18, 2007

CONTACT:
Speaker Roberts
Derek Roseman
(609) 292-7065