Free Wi-Fi in downtown Modesto getting 50-75 users a day

Since Salida-based tech firm Fire2Wire in mid-August began offering free wireless Internet service on 10th Street between J and K streets, including Tenth Street Plaza, and extending to the front of Modesto Centre Plaza, it’s been averaging 50 to 75 users a day.

“Peak numbers are about 20 users per hour,” said Fire2Wire Executive Vice President William Moreno, whose company is providing the free Wi-Fi at no cost to the city. The service has had about 2,000 unique users. “It appears that later in the day, during, the evening, is higher usage than during the day,” he said, adding that there’s been some use on weekends, too.

Based on a request the city made about 15 months ago, Moreno said, three areas in which to expand the service have been targeted: near the Gallo Center for the Arts, near the State Theatre at Graceada Park. The next downtown location could go live by November or December.

“We’re doing it because we for many years have wanted to get the city to do things and they’ve not been able to,” Moreno said. “... We’re not looking to immediately make money – it’s more about helping our community and the promotional value of seeing our name out there.”

That’s not to say there’s signage in Tenth Street Plaza promoting the free WiFi – there’s not. But people who have their phones scanning for service will see “Fire2Wire Hot Zone” pop up as an option.

Fire2Wire intends to provide the service for at least three years. “As long as the system we have in place is of benefit to the citizens of downtown area, have no problem leaving it up,” Moreno said. “If it causes problems, we’ll turn it off. ... There are some businesses that absolutely do not want it offered.”

The intent of offering the service is to make coming downtown more inviting for people who want to have a meal, see a movie or shop. And at the time the service launched, a couple of business owners in Tenth Street Plaza said they think it could bring more people downtown.

But on Monday, another plaza businessperson, who asked not to be identified, expressed concern that the service will attract vagrants. “We won’t need more free stuff to attract the homeless,” the businessperson said, adding that most businesses downtown that offer food, entertainment and other services already offer free Wi-Fi with purchase.

Calls seeking comment from the Downtown Improvement District and the Chamber of Commerce on the Wi-Fi were not returned Monday afternoon.

Moreno said he’s heard the concerns that homeless will hog the plaza to use the free Internet service. “But I’ve been downtown and I haven’t seen that. I want to see what’s happening with our Wi-Fi and I don’t see that.” His experience is that the homeless try to be as inconspicuous as possible, not taking bench space at Tenth Street Plaza.

John Dickey, interim chief information officer with the city of Modesto, said he met with Moreno late last month on getting additional Wi-Fi up and running. “He’d identified more spots he’d like to do as a good citizen and a few that the city could help deploy, like on top of streetlamps and at intersections. We’ll work toward that goal,” Dickey said.

Additionally, he said, the city just issued a “request for participation” to gauge interest by telecom providers in placing small cell devices within the city. “I’m trying to coax them in addition to providing that to provide some free Wi-Fi in the city,” Dickey said. “Some have expressed sincere interest in doing that.”

Dickey said he intends to publish on the city’s website free Wi-Fi spots as they go into service.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 3:39 PM with the headline "Free Wi-Fi in downtown Modesto getting 50-75 users a day."