TELL US: Should Watertown Provide Free WiFi for Residents?

These days, with everyone carrying laptops, smart phones or a tablet, folks are always on the lookout for wireless internet service. One Town Councilor wants to make it easier for Watertown residents to get their Wi-Fi.

Angeline Kounelis recently suggested the town consider starting a project to provide free Wi-Fi to Watertown residents. The town would not be the first in the area to provide such a service.

"Mayor Menino wants to provide Wi-Fi to all citizens of Boston and Brookline has eight hot spots in town," Kounelis said.

In 2006, Boston started a pilot program to provide free wireless service in the Faneuil Hall area and around City Hall through wireless hotspots. 

The Brookline Wi-Fi program offers free wireless access in certain areas of town, including business districts like Coolidge Corner, as well as parks. Brookline also offers low-cost wireless internet service for town residents, starting at $19.95 a month for 1 Mbps speed access. 

The project could be funded by the Harvard/O'Neil Charitable Funds handed out by the town, Kounelis said. Half of the $100,000 to be doled out this year has been reserved for a project that the town would not be able to do with its regular budget.

The town could provide service to the whole town, or go the hotspot route, Kounelis said, but she said she does not yet have a preference of which direction to go.

Do you think Watertown should provide free Wi-Fi for town residents? Tell us in the comment section below.