Wireless Deal for California Parks
January 24, 2005 By MATT RICHTEL
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23 - One problem with camping is that it is tough to file your taxes while sitting in a tent in the great outdoors. That is no longer a problem in California.
The state last week announced a deal with SBC Communications to provide wireless Internet access points in 85 state parks. Now park visitors can take laptop computers and other portable devices to connect to the Internet from areas formerly known as "wilderness."
The Internet access - provided through Wi-Fi technology - will be available mostly in central spots in the parks. The first access point became operational in a state park in San Diego last week; the other access points will be in place by May, in time for the summer camping, hiking and e-mailing season.
"If you wanted to, you could file your taxes from the beach," said Clark Keslo, the chief information officer for the state of California. But he added, "I don't recommend it."
Under the deal, SBC will give park visitors free Internet access to California state government Web pages like those giving road closure information. Mr. Kelso said he hoped that park visitors would use the free connections to learn about campgrounds and safety information.
But campers who want to send and receive e-mail messages or reach more than state government Web sites must pay access charges to SBC; the rate is $7.95 for a 24-hour pass, the company said.
SBC said that it had also equipped a handful of parks in Michigan with Wi-Fi connections. SBC said it did not yet have plans to build Internet access points beyond the central campgrounds, but in the future might consider placing connections in the farther reaches of the parks.
Mr. Kelso said the state government would be watching to see how much visitors used the Wi-Fi connections. "If there's demand, you need to respond to it," he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/technology/24park.html?ex=1107611617&ei=1&en=21a91db8a901fbc1
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