Earlier this year, the City of Wichita tested a program that allowed residents to check out free wifi hot spots at specific recreation centers in Wichita. This month the City announced it has received a grant from AARP that will allow the program to continue.
The goal of the pilot program is to “lessen the digital divide in neighborhoods and provide access to information and opportunity for all residents in the community,” according to the press release.
During the two-month test period, the Hot Spots were in almost continuous use in that the two centers offering them always had waiting lists. The majority of residents using the devices lived in low-income neighborhoods, and almost half were over the age of 50.
The grant awarded by AARP provides enough assistance to keep the program going for a year.
How to get free wifi hot spots in Wichita
Wichita residents can check out a free wifi hot spot device from one of the neighborhood resource centers listed below. You can check out the devices for up to two weeks at a time, and you’ll need ID and a proof of address.
- Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St. N., 303-8016
- Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center, 2820 S. Roosevelt, 303-8029
- Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center, 2700 N. Woodland, 303-8043
According to the press release, each resource center will have 20 hot spot devices. If none are available when you visit, there may be a waiting list.
2 Responses
Where are the hot spots on the NW part of town? Like between 13th & 21st & St Paul & West Street?
These are hot spots that you can actually check out and take home with you. If you want one of them, you have to go to the rec centers listed above to get on a waiting list.
However, if you’re looking for free wifi, I believe all Wichita libraries still have it, which would include Westlink, and most coffee shops or McDonalds, I believe.