North Texas Daily

Paul Wedding / Senior Staff Writer

As of last week, anyone may come to the Denton Square and access a free public Wi-Fi network on their phone, tablet or laptop.

“We’re moving to brand our downtown as a place where innovation happens,” Denton City Council member Kevin Roden said.

The plan for this project was first pitched about two years ago and was approved as part of the budget a year ago, he said.

The city also has plans to install free Wi-Fi near the civic center, around the public library and Denton’s Quakertown park and facilities, where the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is held.

The project is estimated to cost $72,000 up front, with expected annual costs of around $11,500.

The Wi-Fi installation is meant to provide assistance to students without access to Wi-Fi at their homes, Roden said.

“It’s really modern. More people can come to the Square now,” Spanish senior William Snyder said. “The Square is my favorite part of Denton.”

The Wi-Fi is currently live at the train station and near the courthouse, and will eventually expand all the way down Hickory Street.

“It’s the 21st century,” Roden said. “We have to make sure everyone is on board with this technology.”

He also encourages businesses to provide their own Wi-Fi so customers can have a strong connection wherever they are.

West Oak Coffee Bar general manager Joel Upton provides Wi-Fi  for customers and said it is a necessity in this day and age.

“People have come to expect to be connected wherever they are,” Upton said.

Illustration by Senior Staff Illustrator Jake Bowerman