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New York, NY, USA - Nokia announced today it has been selected to be the primary
provider for mobile services in the free Wi-Fi networks in the parks of the city
of New York.
The networks currently being installed will cover 10 major parks in New York
City, including Central Park, Union Square Park and Corona Flushing Meadows.
The network infrastructure is owned and managed by WiFi Salon, a New York-based
company that owns the exclusive concession rights from the New York City Department
of Parks and Recreation for this purpose.
Nokia will introduce mobile multimedia services in the parks with local media
partners during the summer. The media partners will provide complimentary mobile
versions of their content to Nokia devices with Wi-Fi connectivity used in the
parks.
"The Parks Department is pleased to partner with WiFi Salon and Nokia to bring
free Wi-Fi access to ten major parks in New York City," said Commissioner Adrian
Benepe. "The expanded Wi-Fi network will give park visitors even more options
to enjoy. Now, park patrons can throw a pitch, score a goal, catch a wave or
surf the Net at some of our City's greatest parks."
"This is a great opportunity for Nokia to showcase the capabilities of our mobile
multimedia devices," said Floris van de Klashorst, director, multimedia, Nokia.
"Wi-Fi in the parks is an excellent way to pilot new services with our partners
in the media industry, while New Yorkers can enjoy some of their favorite pastimes
while in the parks - such as reading the paper, listening to music or accessing
the Internet - in an entirely new way."
Access to these multimedia services over the Wi-Fi network will be possible with
Nokia products that have wireless LAN built in, such as the Nokia N80, the Nokia
N91 - two of the latest multimedia devices in the Nokia Nseries range - and the
Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, a portable multimedia tablet optimized for Internet
communications. Park visitors can access the public Wi-Fi network using laptops
or other portable devices with wireless LAN as well.
"Wi-Fi can be more than about Web surfing and checking e-mail," noted Marshall
Brown, founder and CEO of WiFi Salon. "What if a hot spot was not just a gateway,
but a destination? What if it offered rich multimedia experiences based on the
neighborhood where you are located? As prime neighborhood meeting grounds, parks
are ideal places for people to experience this new approach to public Wi-Fi."
About WiFi Salon
WiFi Salon is creating neighborhood hot spots where people can simply connect,
share, and build communities using the newest approach to next-generation wireless
applications, services and experiences. The company's premiere installation
is in its hometown of New York, having secured the exclusive concession from the
New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to establish and operate 18 Hot
Spots in ten parks in four boroughs.
www.wifisalon.com
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability
of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the
information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products such
as mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses.
Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.
Note to editors:
The parks included in this project are:
- Battery Park
- Central Park (8 Locations - The Dairy, The Boathouse, Summerstage, The Sheep
Meadow, The Delacorte Theatre, The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, The Pinetum,
The Zoo)
- Washington Square Park
- Union Square Park
- Riverside Park - Boat Basin / Café at 79th Street
- Prospect Park - The Boathouse, The Picnic House
- Corona Flushing Meadows - USTA Tennis Center
- Orchard Beach Concessions
- VanCortlandt Park Golf House
- Pelham Bay Park Golf House
More information about the Nokia products mentioned can be found at www.nseries.com and www.nokia.com/770 |
