Wi-Fi Service At California State Parks

A fee-based service will soon let visitors to California State Parks system access the Internet using wireless-fidelity, or Wi-Fi, technology.

Visitors to 85 California State Parks will soon be able to access the Internet via a wireless high-speed connection service being installed by SBC Communications, Inc. The system is similar to cell phone use in that, for a monthly fee, it lets computers equipped with wireless-enabled laptop computers communicate through a network of radio antennas.

Unlike cell phone service, Wi-Fi only works about 150 to 200 feet from an antenna. Provider SBC Communications, Inc. claims the service gives users access speeds that are 50 to 100 times faster than dial-up.

SBC provides Wi-Fi ?EUR??,,????'??hotspots?EUR??,,????'?? (where the service is available) at more than 700 locations in California. The California service is believed to be one of the first widespread installations in a public parks system.

The service has already been installed at San Elijo State Beach, north of San Diego, with installation at the other parks continuing through April 15.

While the service requires a monthly fee, visitors will be able to access to the state parks' website and to the California Department of Transportation website, which provides updated road condition data, free.