Live Updates-Press Releases

For Immediate Release:
August 20, 2009

Contact:
Christina L. Barrett
Director of Marketing & Communications
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
(413) 499-4000, extension 15
cbarrett@berkshirechamber.com

PITTSFIELD, MA – The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce held a press conference on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at the Central Block Building in Pittsfield to announce free wireless access in downtown Pittsfield.

Started as a collaboration between the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Unwired Village, which was funded by a grant from the John Adams Innovation Institute at the MTC, the project involved the creation of four public wireless Internet "hotspots" in public spaces throughout the city.

“Presently, a total of four nodes are activated, providing free access in an area that stretches from Pittsfield’s Park Square, north three blocks to Union Street, and from Park Square west to the Greylock Federal Credit Union building,” said Michael Supranowicz, President & CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.

“The Berkshire Chamber believes that wireless internet access will not only benefit Pittsfield’s residents and visitors, but also compliments the resurgence happening in the downtown,” said Supranowicz. “Free wireless access will also make downtown a more attractive place to be and conduct business. And, with the success of the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative, our middle school students can utilize free access for educational purposes.”

Through the generous support of Greylock Federal Credit Union, who provided more than $3,000 towards the project, wireless access will now provide wireless broadband access to their immediate grounds. Antennae are located at the Central Block Building at 75 North Street, the Wright Building at North Street, Greylock Federal Credit Union’s headquarters at 100 West Street, and BBE Interior’s building at 122 North Street. In addition to Greylock, Pittsfield’s Unwired Village was also supported through contributions from BBE Interiors, Boxcar Media, Cavalier Management, CompuWorks, Comalli Electric, and the City of Pittsfield.

The Unwired Village is a nonprofit partnership with local business organizations to provide free community-based wireless broadband access in public places. Individuals should look for the Unwired Village logo to login to sign up for a free account.

Getting Connected
1. Find an Unwired hot spot.
2. Open your laptop or other wireless device.
3. Click the wireless network icon.
4. Select the network named "Unwired Village.”
5. You're connected!
Registering
1. Open a web browser and try to access any web page.
2. You'll be greeted by the Unwired Village welcome screen.
3. Click the "Create a free account" button.
4. Enter a username, valid e-mail address, and password.
5. Click "Sign-up.”
6. Check your e-mail and open the validation message from Unwired Village. Follow the instructions in the e-mail to complete your registration.

Once logged into the network, users will be directed to a landing page complete with links to upcoming events, Berkshire businesses, and a cost of living index comparison calculator. The page was developed with the hope of promoting regional businesses as well as the many events and programs happening in the County.

The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce was introduced to the Unwired Village program through colleagues at the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce who launched their initiative in May 2007. The Unwired Village now has 32 hotspots between Berkshire County and Cape Cod.

About Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
The Berkshire Chamber was established to identify and serve the needs and interests of the Berkshire business community, creating an environment conducive to the growth and sustainability of business. The Berkshire Chamber is a proud recipient of a U.S. Chamber 4-Star Accreditation.