On Friday, Oct. 24, Fremont unveiled free downtown public wifi at the Trick-or-Treat event at the Downtown Event Center Plaza. The move is part of the Citywide Fiberoptic Master Plan adopted in July 2022. As part of the overall economic development plan, the wifi will help draw people to the downtown area.
“Digital equity” is a key word for the project, especially after the pandemic when many relied more on internet access to meet basic needs. “For many families,” said Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, “reliable internet is not just a luxury item, it is a lifeline, it is an essential tool. It is how our students learn, it’s how job seekers apply, it’s how families stay connected.”
After making the Fiberoptic Master Plan, the city applied for grant funding, which was awarded in early 2023. It took about two years to deploy the project. Congressmember Ro Khanna and State Senator Aisha Wahab brought in $3 million to this program, 1.5 million each. (Wahab was at the event, as well as a representative from Khanna’s office.)
According to Geneva Bosques, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for Fremont, the city felt adding wifi was part of serving the community. “We do think at this point it’s an expected utility, almost, much like electricity.”
Stephanie Uchida
Downtown was a shoo-in for wifi because of the high concentration of events. Vendors using Square to process payments need wifi. “Wifi makes things like events much more possible,” said Bosques. Farmers markets, such as the ones in Irvington and Niles, will also benefit from wifi.
A map on the city website shows the free wifi zone extending from Bart Way to Fremont Boulevard, bordered on the sides by Mowry Avenue and Walnut Avenue.
Downtown is the first of seven planned areas for free city wifi: Central Business District and the Downtown Event Center, Centerville Business District, Irvington Business District, Mission San Jose Business District, Niles Business District, Warm Springs Business District and the Ohlone College Area. Overall there are 125 access points.
This builds on top of free wifi already available at Irvington and Centerville Community Centers, and the Alameda County Library system.
The public wifi will show up as “Access Fremont” on devices. No password is required; users only need to accept terms and conditions.
