Pittsburgh's downtown service tested: The local paper, the Post-Gazette, published a chart showing signal strength across many of the covered areas in the downtown Pittsburgh free Wi-Fi network, which is run by the Downtown Partnership. The group says that 3,200 users have signed up to use up to two free hours a day--this in the face of apparently quite cold weather coupled with heavy rains. The reporter notes that the service wasn't built with indoor use in mind, but they were able to gain access at a number of public locations within walls. The paid version of the service runs $8 a day, $15 per month, and $120 per year.

Mayor of Paris tries to burnish high-tech image with citywide Wi-Fi: The city's mayor wants free Wi-Fi across the City of Lights hoping to attract what this article describes as "creative spirits" and "legions of young people." These categories of residents apparently are moving to places to London, Eastern Europe, and Asia. (In the suburbs, a massive effort is underway to start work on broadband over powerlines, by the way.)

Illinois bids out 53 rest stops: In an ongoing trend towards putting Wi-Fi at rest stops, the state is looking for a vendor to equip 53 areas where people stretch their legs and truckers pull off with Internet access. Illinois already has free Wi-Fi at oases on its Tollway. The rest-stop service may have fees attached.

EarthLink gets Alexandria nod: The company will build a 16-square-mile network in the lovely somewhat suburban town that has its own extensive history.