PRESS
RELEASE - MAY 2, 2005
SEATTLE
AND OLYMPIA NAMED MOST CONNNECTED CITIES
Popular
Science magazine’s recent list of in a list of Top Hi-Tech
Cities ranked Seattle and Olympia number one and two respectively
in the “Connected Citizenry” category.
The article
Technopolis Found, cites the proliferation of Wi-Fi access
points as a primary contributor to the high rankings. “The
most wired (and unwired) city in the nation, Seattle has 57 Wi-Fi
hotspots per 100,000 people; the national average is more like
18.” Author Rena Marie Pacella also points out that many
of access points are free and/or volunteer run.
In the
Puget Sound area, over 20 “Surfbreak” locations serve
up complimentary Wi-Fi access powered by Olympia-based Internet
Service Provider, Zhonka Broadband. Bucking the pay-for-use model
used by most national coffee and bookseller chains, free locations
include a variety of espresso cafes, micro-brew pubs, independent
bookshops and even a bike shop.
Zhonka
views these Surfbreaks as both a promotional tool and a community
resource. Zhonka’s Jacob Stewart points out, “These
free Wi-Fi locations facilitate innovative public access in the
communities we serve as well as demonstrating Zhonka’s high
speed DSL services.”
Surfbreak
locations find that free Wi-Fi is a desirable amenity for attracting
clientele. Olympia coffee roaster, Batdorf and Bronson, feature
free Wi-Fi at two downtown retail locations. B&B’s Jen
Boelts notes that, “Free wireless access at our coffeehouses
provide a great opportunity for professionals and students to
be portable and work in relaxed environment while enjoying a beverage.”
Popular
Science developed the “Connected Citizenry” rankings
by researching wireless access points, number of households with
computers, and hi-speed connectivity options. Seattle ranked 11th
overall including categories of: Transportation; Medical; Jobs;
Education; and Energy. Minneapolis/St. Paul took top honors while
Olympia, one the smaller cities surveyed, added a 102nd place
to a list of recent media accolades.
Zhonka
Surfbreaks are also found in Ocean Shores, Aberdeen, Lakewood,
and DuPont. Visit www.zhonka.net/surfbreak/
for a complete list and info for new Surfbreak locations.
###
Issued
by Zhonka Broadband, Dave Olson, 360-515-3334, dave (at) zhonka.net
- Jacob Stewart, Zhonka Broadband, 360-357-8776, cosmo (at) zhonka.net
- Jen Boelts, Batdorf and Bronson, 360-754-5282, jenb (at) batdorf.com
- Popular Science, “Technopolis Found,” March 1, 2005,
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/generaltech/article/0,20967,1027543,00.html
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