SBC launched the first of many hotspots in Evansville, Ind., starting with a couple of hotels downtown: The network will also ultimately cover the airport, civic center, and other areas downtown. The network is being built as a partnership between SBC and the city's economic development agency. Even though one leader is quoted here as saying "build it and they will come," the groups have more concrete plans for the network. They hope the network will improve the chances of the city getting approval for its application to the Indiana Department of Commerce to create a technology park in town, which includes a facility for startup technology businesses. Some of the revenue generated by the Wi-Fi network will go to a fund for improvements to the park. If the facility is approved, tax funds could be used to improve technology and infrastructure for the park. It's an interesting, albeit complicated, goal for how the Wi-Fi network can actually improve the economy in the area. In many other towns, the networks are being built with a vague idea that its very presence will spur the economy.
In other new hotspot news, a reader wrote to tell us about a new hotspot he just noticed in South Station in Boston. The hotspot, along with about 20 others in the Boston area, are provided by Salicom Wireless Broadband. It appears that Salicom offers a range of setups for venues, including building and supporting hotspots for venues in exchange for a share of the revenues from users. [via Aaron]