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San Jose Hopes To Soon Feature Fastest Free WiFi In US

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – San Jose is beefing up its free downtown Wi-Fi network in the hopes that speeds will soon be the fastest in the U.S. San Jose was among the first large cities to implement free wireless internet access to anyone downtown in 2004. Now that network is being rebooted.

"Our goal is to create the fastest free outdoor Wi-Fi network in the world," said San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo, who represents the downtown. "We're challenging Seoul, South Korea for the fastest network."

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Liccardo said that it's something the business community has been asking for.

"We're recognizing that entrepreneurs and innovators are increasingly looking for urban centers to start out in, and to grow their businesses," said Liccardo. "We think that the fastest, free Wi-Fi network on the planet could be a great tool to lure entrepreneurs and to help them grow here in San Jose."

The new network could be up and running within the next few months.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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