Ask The Mayor

Q. - What are the chances of getting Wi Fi Internet service in Terrell?

 

Answer - The idea of providing city residents with free Internet was at one time a really hot topic in a lot of cities across the country. It has been a matter of some discussion at the City of Terrell.

 

Of course, we all know nothing is really free. The most widely accepted and popular concept in US cities was to have a wireless Internet service provider make the free wireless Internet available, giving the provider access to more customers for online advertising and promotional activities. In most places the cost of providing the service ended up being more than the company could bear. Costs, technical difficulties, and other problems exceeded early expectations.

In addition to financial costs, concerns for a city like ours involve security and the potential for bad content delivery. With all of the
constant challenges of securing a free wireless Internet portal from hackers and other bad people, we cannot see how to do it with the level of risk and cost we would be willing to assume. I would not be surprised to see new ideas comer forth that would make free wireless Internet access available in the future, but we have no plans in the works at this time.

For residents who are not able to afford Internet access, the Hulsey Public Library provides computers and Internet access free to Library patrons.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hal Richards, Mayor