What a clever idea for inauguration Week! Open access to Wi-Fi for all those who attend the inauguration at Pennsylvania Avenue in the US capital. This will allow people to ‘blog’ their thoughts and opinions as events unfold before them.

The hotspot, which is now operational, will be open through January 22nd
with coverage across Pershing Park on the north side of Pennsylvania Ave.
between 14th and 15th Sts. NW. Some service is also available at Freedom
Plaza (across from City Hall) and the northeastern corner of the Ellipse. The
hotspot uses the same popular Wi-Fi compatible technology employed in home
networks and coffee shops.

“Open Park’s services will let the public share their Inauguration Week
experiences on the Internet as they happen and open up one of the nation’s
most important events for real-time commentary,” said Leo Cloutier, the
group’s Chief Technology Officer. “Along Pennsylvania Avenue, the service may
also reduce the load on local cell phone networks.”

Cloutier added: “Open Park’s longer range plan is to provide free wireless
Internet service across the National Mall and we are currently in talks with
the Smithsonian Institution to install Wi-Fi access point equipment atop
selected Mall museums.”