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The latest news and announcements from Mayor London N. Breed

Mayor Lee Announces Improvements to Market Street Free Public Wi-Fi

City Enhances #SFWiFi with Permanent Technology Improvements Along City’s Main Street in Time for Free, Family Friendly Super Bowl Events & Adds Capacity in MUNI Stations

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that #SFWiFi, the City’s free municipal wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) service, will receive technology upgrades along Market Street, the City’s busiest and most economically diverse corridor and home to some of the City’s largest, free public celebrations, including free events for Super Bowl 50, in time for Super Bowl week. Service expansions will also include #SFWiFi availability in five San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) stations along Market Street: Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center and Van Ness.

“Enhanced reliable, free high-speed Internet along Market Street will help all San Franciscans stay connected,” said Mayor Lee. “Improvements will be made in time for our free, public celebrations for Super Bowl 50 and will be a lasting legacy after the celebrations are over. Whether you’re a tourist buying a ticket to ride our historic cable cars, a resident paying your water bill or a small business taking mobile electronic payments, we are leveraging technology to help our residents, visitors and businesses.”

The Department of Technology is working with the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee to install technology to ensure continuous high-speed Internet is available to the large volume of users expected to access the network at Super Bowl City.

The Super Bowl 50 Host Committee facilitated a partnership with Extreme Networks to increase capacity in Super Bowl City and the Department of Technology and Cisco Systems are partnering to provide high-density service at broadband speeds in surrounding areas during and after the event. They intend to leave behind a better network under the Department of Technology’s management and for the benefit of San Francisco’s residents and visitors long after Super Bowl City has come down.

“We’re excited that these technology upgrades will ensure visitors, residents and businesses have uninhibited access to #SFWiFi, both above ground and underground,” said Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of the Department of Technology Miguel A. Gamiño Jr. “As we focus on the increasing demands for Wi-Fi, we observe sustained and growing use of our current #SFWiFi public service. We are seizing the opportunity to enhance #SFWiFi so everyday residents gain an ongoing and improved connected experience, and we can continue to support many more simultaneous users as a result of the event.”

The Super Bowl 50 Host Committee is responsible for Super Bowl City, designed to include interactive games and activities that celebrate the milestone Super Bowl 50 and offer fans and families exposure to the unique culture and offerings of the Bay Area.

“Super Bowl celebrations are designed to be interactive and reflect the spirit and personality of the entire region,” said Super Bowl Host Committee CEO Keith Bruce. “#SFWiFi is key to that interactive experience.”

#SFWiFi, launched in 2013, is available in 33 parks and public spaces, all public libraries, and over three miles of the Market Street corridor. The Department of Technology manages the network delivering service typically far-exceeding Federal Communications Commission defined “broadband” speeds of 25Mbps, with plans for network expansion into additional parks and public spaces.

Mayor Lee is developing a strategic plan to further expand connectivity for the public benefit in various locations across San Francisco, and continues to work collaboratively with organizations and members of the public to ensure that high speed Internet connectivity is accessible for all residents. The project continues to be a top priority for Mayor Lee because of the endless benefits that free Wi-Fi brings to the residents and visitors of San Francisco.