'Wicked Free WiFi' Now Available in Charlestown

Charlestown is among a host of Boston neighborhoods to have access to a newly-available public WiFi network in the city. 

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and the city's Department of Innovation Technology this week launched "Wicked Free WiFi: Boston's Public Wireless Network," which is available with more than 170 access points to reach thousands of users across the city. 

The largest area of access points is located in Grove Hall, covering about 1.5 square miles, officials said this week. At the moment, an average of 9,800 users access the Grove Hall network daily, according to officials. 

"Closing the digital divide and providing free public WiFi in our neighborhoods is essential," Walsh said in a statement. "We want every Bostonian to have the same opportunities in today's digital world. WiFi access plays a significant role in every aspect of our lives from learning to earning. Our goal is to strengthen and expand our public network and reach more families and businesses."

Moreover, officials plan to install street signage for hotspots  at locations citywide. 

Plans are also in place to connect the city's 20 neighborhood Main Street programs, with about 130 access points, officials said, and Boston plans to continue to increase WiFi access points to drive economic development and develop municipal WiFi to underserved areas. 

BoNet, the city's fiber network, supports the connection in public areas; the WiFi was connected using resources from Boston and its partners, in addition to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhood program. 

The largest installation includes the Choice Neighborhood grant, which connects the Grove Hall community and surrounding areas. 

Current "Wicked Free WiFi" areas include:

• Grove Hall
• Roxbury/Dudley
• Allston
• Boston Common
• Charlestown
• Choice Neighborhood – areas of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Grove Hall
• City Hall
• Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
• Faneuil Hall
• Dorchester
• Hyde Park
• South Boston