Study: LV improving wireless access to Web

Kevin Rademacher

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 | 11:13 a.m.

Las Vegas is coming unwired.

According to a study sponsored by computer chip maker Intel Corp., that's a good thing.

The study of the nation's top 100 cities ranked Las Vegas as No. 42 among the most unwired cities based on wireless Internet accessibility. Las Vegas slipped slightly from the No. 41 spot it held a year ago.

The study was conducted by researcher Bert Sperling, whose firm compiles a series of Best Places surveys.

Sperling noted that the drop in ranking for Las Vegas does not indicate regression, but rather rapid movement in other cities to add more wireless access points.

Sperling said Las Vegas had 175 total access points this year, about 9.8 per 100,000 residents. He also gave Las Vegas high marks for putting those points in unique locations. While he said the Strip resorts, the airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center were obvious choices, so-called hotspots were available at local RV parks, truck stops and laundry mats.

"Las Vegas is definitely making use of this technology," he said. "There's a lot of interesting locations for this in Las Vegas."

Sperling said the significance of such hotspot development can be felt in economic development efforts, explaining that many young technology professionals look on connectivity the way others see cable television.

"Especially for the younger people, the kind of creative class that city planners want to retain or attract, a lot of times they consider Internet access to be very matter of fact," he said. "They really need to have that kind of infrastructure."

Somer Hollingsworth, chief executive with the Nevada Development Authority, agreed.

"They demand this stuff," he said.

Topping the list this year was Seattle, followed by San Francisco, Austin, Texas; Portland, Ore.; and Toledo, Ohio.

Among Las Vegas' economic development rivals, San Diego was No. 11, Albuquerque was No. 30, and Phoenix was No. 55.