News

Free Internet service kiosks in Boston this July

June 17, 2003

BOSTON -- This summer, commuters and others walking though Dudley Square in Roxbury will be able to check their email and surf the Internet in the MBTA's Dudley Bus Station.

Starting July 1, they will find a new Internet service center on one of the familiar Village Pushcart businesses, a bookseller called "The Black Library." People will be able to walk up and use touchscreen Internet computer kiosks free of charge, according to a news release.

The system will connect to the nearby Urban League's high-speed Internet service via a wireless technology supplied by Tech Superpowers, Inside Cable and CityKi, which specializes in locating Internet kiosks in public spaces, the release said.

The kiosks will offer links to various resources, such as MBTA schedules and fares, government agencies, educational opportunities and other local services.

"This initiative will engage people by putting cutting-edge technology and information at no charge to the user in a convenient community location," said Darnell Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

"Our goals are to help folks develop technology skills, provide a useful public service and position Dudley Square as an urban technology hub."

The Village Pushcarts, seen at Dudley Station and in downtown Boston, are part of the micro-enterprise development and entrepreneurial training program of Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, located in Dudley Square.

CityKi, located in Dudley Square's Empowerment Zone, provides easy-to-use, touchscreen computer kiosks to improve the lives of residents and visitors and stimulate neighborhood economic development, the release said.

Inside Cable Inc., a firm that specializes in technology network infrastructure in the inner city, helped in the planning of the new Internet service along with several other local community organizations.