KANSAS CITY, Mo.�Kansas City has partnered with Cisco, Sprint andThinkBigon a �smart city� program, the aim of which is to make the city the most connected city in the world.
The initiative�s goals include enhanced internet availability, energy savings, new revenue streams and improved connectivity for citizens, including efforts to bridge the �digital divide.� In the process, the connected city will also produce vast amounts of data, which will serve as a �living lab� for Cisco, Think Big Partners and other entrepreneurs, reportsindustrialiot5G.com.In doing so, Kansas City will joinNew York City in providing widely available free Wi-Fifor citizens and visitors alike.��
Kansas City will deploy the latest smart city technology at a discount and position itself as more attractive to innovators and entrepreneurs, while its connectivity partners will gain access to a real-life testing lab.
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As part of the initiative, free outdoor Wi-Fi will be deployed in more than 50 square blocks in downtown Kansas City. Sprint will roll out and manage the Wi-Fi network in partnership with Cisco. And because Sprint will manage 50 percent of the network for its own use, it will be operated at no cost to the taxpayer.
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