West Dearborn downtown business district offers wireless internet access via “Open Dearborn”

West Dearborn’s downtown business district is offering free wireless internet access thanks to a new initiative called “Open Dearborn.”

Funded by the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (WDDDA) and administered by the City of Dearborn’s Management Information Systems Department (MIS), Open Dearborn is designed to make the west downtown even more appealing to those looking for great shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities.

Internet access is provided by a network of nodes placed around the west downtown district to “blanket” the entire area. Most are in place now and people are accessing the internet through them every day.

When all nodes are in place – something expected to happen very soon –
anyone with a computer, mobile phone or other device capable of wireless access to the internet can get online for free anywhere, anytime in the west downtown district. The district is bounded by Oakwood and Military (east and west) and Garrison and Newman (north and south).

Future plans call for a similar system to be created in east Dearborn’s downtown business district as well.

The WDDDA is funding the purchase of the necessary hardware (up to $5,000) to create the system of access points that “blankets” the west downtown area. The access nodes are being installed, tested and monitored by the MIS Department. To date, only about $1,000 has needed to be spent to create the access network.

“Open Dearborn puts our City on a par with other communities that are offering this service as a way to draw customers to our downtown businesses,” said Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. “It’s something that offers an excellent return on investment.”