The Council Bluffs Wi-Fi Consortium is proud to announce Phase IV of BLink, Bluffs Community Wi-Fi, is live! Phase IV includes neighborhoods from S 16th Street to S 22nd Street, and from Broadway to 9th Avenue.
“The continuous expansion of BLink increases the opportunities for our youth to learn beyond the classroom walls,” said Mayor Matt Walsh. “This project is a great example of public/ private partnerships. Without the support of Google, Iowa West Foundation, and Council Bluffs Community School District, Bluffs Community Wi-Fi would not be possible.”
“Technology can be a great equalizer for students and families from different backgrounds, but without access, it simply cannot happen,” said Pete Tulipana, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “We are pleased to help bring this transformational asset, with the potential to be the largest free and open network in the country, to more of Council Bluffs, Iowa.”
“We are so pleased that this partnership and expansion will allow more of our students to access free Wi-Fi to do school work with their district Chromebooks or their computers at home,” Dr. Vickie Murillo, Superintendent of the Council Bluffs Community School District.
"Google is proud to continue its support of the BLink wifi network, which helps ensure the internet is universally accessible in the Council Bluffs community," said Brenda Standridge, Google Council Bluffs Data Center Site Lead. "Google is committed to helping students and community members have the tools they need to succeed in today's technology-driven society."
Planning for phases V, VI, VII is underway. For more information on BLink visit: www.blinkwifi.org.
Project Background:
The City of Council Bluffs and Council Bluffs Community School District formed the Wi-Fi Consortium to connect residents with online resources for learning, email, social media, web browsing and audio streaming. BLink will eventually be one of the most extensive free community Wi-Fi networks in the United States, covering more than 20 square miles and providing free Wi-Fi access to more than 40,000 people.
The following community members are partners of BLink Wi-Fi. Partners have contributed funds, time, materials, labor, or expertise to ensure that BLink is the #1 community Wi-Fi project in the nation:
•City of Council Bluffs
•Council Bluffs Community School District
•Google
•Iowa West Foundation
•Charles E. Lakin Foundation
•CB Area Chamber of Commerce
•Echo Group
•Emspace
•MidAmerican Energy
•Miller Electric
•Ruckus Wireless
•SmartWAVE Technologies
-Bluffs Electric
•UNITE Private Networks
BLink Coverage Map available www.blinkwifi.org