Tech Valley Communications, Mayor Gerald Jennings and the City of Albany are proud to offer Albany FreeNet, a free, high-speed "Wi-Fi" Internet service, to a growing number of locations in Albany. Any Wi-Fi enabled electronic device, such as laptop computers, smart phones and PDAs can connect to the Internet wirelessly wherever there is network coverage. Albany FreeNet makes living, working, shopping, and playing in Albany more convenient and effortless than ever.
Albany FreeNet was launched in late 2006 as a public/private partnership between the City of Albany and Tech Valley Communications, since providing tens of thousands of user sessions. The design, deployment and upkeep of the wireless network is managed by Tech Valley Communications. TVC has been methodically rebuilding the telecommunications infrastructure of the Capital Region for the past eight years to facilitate continued development in the Upstate economy. With TVC’s unique advanced design and vast fiber optic assets, the City of Albany network is one of the highest capacity WiFi networks in the country.
Tech Valley Communications also offers Premium Wireless Internet service that provides business and residential users with faster connection speeds and more features. Premium Internet subscription helps us subsidize free Internet service for families in our City neighborhoods where Internet adoption is lowest due to socio-economic barriers.
Look for Albany FreeNet in more neighborhoods throughout the City.1. You will need a computer (PC, Mac, etc.), smart phone or PDA that has WiFi capability. Most laptops manufactured today, and some smart phones and PDAs, have WiFi capability built in. Refer to the owner’s manual to confirm if your device is WiFi-enabled. If your computer does not have a built-in wireless networking card, you can most likely purchase a wireless card (or adapter) from major electronics retailers or direct from the manufacturer of your device. 99% of the wireless modems and devices meeting the official 802.11b/g WiFi certification should work with our wireless network. To learn more about WiFi 802/11b/g, visit www.weca.net
2. Microsoft Windows 98 (or later) or Mac OS 9.0 (or later)
3. A standard Internet browser like Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Netscape Navigator, etc.
If you know that service is available in your area or it appears that service is available on our coverage map, but you're not able to see or properly use the network inside your home or business, you may also need a wireless modem.
There is no limit on how long you can use Albany FreeNet. There is a 200MB daily data limit. You can sign on as many times as you like anytime between 12am and 11:59pm each day until your total data usage (downloads and uploads) on Albany FreeNet for that day reaches 200MB.
To make sure that you have fully signed off after your session, enter "Logout" in your browser window and go to that address. You will be returned to the Albany FreeNet portal.
For Macs with OSX
1.On the Apple Menu, go to "System Preferences"
2.Click "Network"
3.Select "AirPort" and Click on "Connect"
4.Click on the Network drop-down list that appears and select "Albany FreeNet"
For PCs with XP
1.Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower right corner of your screen and select "View Available Wireless Networks"
2.Select "Albany FreeNet" from the Available Wireless Networks list and click "Connect."
1.Click "Start" at the lower left of your desktop, then "Control Panel"
2.Select "Network and Internet Connections."
3.Right-click the wireless network icon and select "View Available Wireless Networks"
4.Select "Albany FreeNet" and click "Connect."
For PCs with Vista 1.Click "Start" at the lower left of your desktop, then "Connect To" 2.Select "Albany FreeNet" and click "Connect." 3.Click "Connect Anyway" if you receive a security prompt.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Once you select "Albany FreeNet" in your list of available wireless networks, you must open your web browser in order to access the Albany FreeNet login page, which will automatically load when you begin to surf.Most wireless devices, including laptops, have a wireless radio inside that is designed to access local wireless internet networks (i.e. offices, coffee shops, etc...). They are not designed to communicate with a network radio that is outside and down the street. The radios that are out on the street poles are very powerful, and have the ability to transmit through most walls of homes and buildings. What this means is that your wireless device will usually be able to "hear" the signal coming from outside from our radios. The issue is the laptop card cannot communicate data back to the radios, as it is simply not strong enough.
An example would be Person A (our radios) a block away yelling very loudly at Person B down the street (your laptop). Person B (your laptop) is able to hear what the louder Person A is saying, but Person B has a sore throat and does not have the ability to yell back at a volume that Person A (our radios) can hear, so there is no ability for communication.
Your wireless device can hear our "loud" radios outside, and your signal meter on your wireless device will show this (i.e. multiple bars, etc...). The wireless radio in your device simply cannot (and was not designed to) be "loud" enough to communicate back. It is intended to access a wireless signal through maybe a wall or across the room. This inability to communicate will results in dropped connections and poor speeds and performance.
To correct this, you may need a wireless modem.
Albany FreeNet is a best effort broadband (or high-speed) service with speeds up to 1.5Mbps download and 1Mbps upload.
Even higher speed are available with a Premium Wireless Account. Learn more about Premium Wireless for businesses and homes here.
