WiFi Takes Off at Vermont’s Visitor CentersVisitors and Vermonters who travel the interstate system are connected better than ever before to work, friends and family as they travel through Vermont. A stop at many of Vermont’s visitor centers now allows travelers to access the Internet via a fast and reliable broadband connection.On November 14, 2007, Governor Douglas inaugurated free WiFi service at state visitor centers announcing that “Travelers using our major roadways can now use wireless Internet service free of charge. This advancement of my E-State Initiative will make this resource more valuable for business people, tourists and all those who use our highways.”Since May 2007 the State has seen a 1298% increase in WiFi usage by travelers.The initial setup of WiFi services at Vermonts visitor centers has been funded through ConnectVermont, a program managed by the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development that aims to make traveling in Vermont safer and more convenient. Senator Patrick Leahy has secured $15 million in federal funding to allow the State to expand traveler services, enhance broadband Internet access and attract more visitors to Vermont through various ConnectVermont activities.More information about these projects is available online at www.connectvermont.com(link is external).Times have changed at Vermont’s visitor centers. While we used to see travelers stop to use our facilities now it is common to see them linger longer while sitting in a Vermont Folk Rocker and access e-mail or connect to work as they pass through the state said Ed von Turkovich, Director of the States Information Center Division. “Our usage is up dramatically and it is now common to see our visitors, who while commuting stop in to use the visitor centers as a temporary office,” said von Turkovich.Installing WiFi access at all state-operated information centers was a component of the Governors E-State Initiative to provide high speed Internet capability and mobile phone coverage to Vermonters in every community. “Providing High Speed Internet access to our visitors is one important piece of the puzzle” said Mary Evslin, Board Chair of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. “Connecting Vermonters is critically important to the Governor’s initiative and to the State’s interest in ensuring that we have a comprehensive architecture of connectivity in place by the end of 2010.””For visitors to Vermont it sends the right message” said Al Levy of Summit Technologies the firm responsible for building the WiFi system on the interstate. “The world is moving at an ever-accelerating pace to connect itself via an ever-expanding world wide web. It only makes good sense that in Vermont visitors to our state know Vermont is following the same path,” said Levy.The State plans to continue expanding WiFi coverage at its visitor centers over the next 18 months. The State also plans to provide marketing opportunities to businesses looking for exposure on the State’s WiFi web portals located at visitor centers where WiFi has been installed. Businesses interested in exploring how they can benefit from this opportunity should contact Al Levy at Summit Technologies at 802-846-3030 x222 or al@summittechnologies.biz(link sends e-mail)# # #