Palo Alto Gets a WLAN HotZone

WiFi Metro, a San Francisco Bay Area, Wi-Fi access provider, in partnership with fixed wireless ISP Gatespeed Broadband, Inc., today announced the launch of a wireless HotZone in downtown Palo Alto, CA.

The HotZone is designed to provide 802.1lb coverage to an area that the companies claim spans six city blocks. Gatespeed and WiFi Metro plan to jointly market the new service, with an additional 20 HotZones scheduled for rollout by the end of 2002.

WiFi Metro is a Bay Area start-up with coverage in 50 locations, and plans to establish 100 more locations across the U.S. by the end of 2002.

The Palo Alto Hot Zone’s reach, according to the companies, ‘extends from as far West as the University CalTrain Station and and as far East as the intersections of Romona and University Avenues.’

A free trial pass to use this HotZone is available from the WiFi Metro Web site. More information about Gatespeed’s Internet services can be found at the company’s Web site.

Matthew Peretz is Managing Editor of 802.11-Planet.com