The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN), is pleased to announce its newest free Wi-Fi hot spot locations, in Roosevelt Park, St. Thomas and at the Loredon Boynes Sr. Dock in Cruz Bay on St. John. The Roosevelt Park location is central, offers seating, and provides a relaxed atmosphere, while the new Cruz Bay Ferry Dock location will be a boon to commuters. These newest additions bring the total number of viNGN hot spots to (twenty-two) 22.
As the territory’s recovery efforts continue, viNGN remains aware of the community’s challenges in accessing telecommunications and Internet services. In response to this need, there are currently five (5) Free Wi-Fi hot spots on St. John, eight (8) on St. Croix, and eight (8) on St. Thomas.
According to viNGN President and CEO Dr. Mark McGibbon, while some areas of the viNGN network were affected, the underground facilities remained intact throughout two historic Category 5 storms that impacted the territory over the course of two weeks. This enabled restoration efforts to move forward quickly, enabling local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to begin re-connecting their business and residential customers at a much faster pace.
“We got to work immediately after Irma, planning hot spots throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, and establishing free temporary Internet access. Our first hot spots that were established on St. John are now part of the Global Disaster Immediate Response Team (GLOBAL DIRT) network. Anyone needing free Internet access may visit our web site at www.vingn.com and click on “Free viNGN Wi-Fi Hotspots” to view the full list,” he stated.
ST. JOHN
(Partners: Love City Strong, LoveIT.vi, First Phase Datacomm, Computer Express, Global DIRT; Network ID: DIRT Free)
Boulon Center
BVM/Tennis Court Parking Lot
Connections of St. John
Grande Bay Condominiums
The Marketplace
Loredon Boynes Sr. Dock (Network ID: #viNGN_FreeWifi)
ST. CROIX
(Network ID: #viNGN_FreeWiFi)
Ann E. Abramson Pier, Frederiksted
Caravelle Hotel & Casino/Boardwalk
Frederiksted Health Clinic
Grove Place Fire Station
Midre Cummings Park/Fairgrounds
Seaborne Airlines Terminal, Christiansted
Sunny Isle
Williams Public Library (outside)
ST. THOMAS
(Network ID: #viNGN_FreeWiFi)
Blyden Marine Terminal, Charlotte Amalie
Fredericks Marine Terminal, Red Hook
Havensight near Virgin’s Haven
Lockhart Elementary School (Partner: Surge Broadband; Network ID: SURGE_FREE_WIFI_Powered_by_VINGN)
Port of $ale Mall near Tap & Still/Beni Iguana’s/Brix
Roosevelt Park
Seaborne Airlines Terminal, Charlotte Amalie
VI Port Authority Parking Lot near Ivanna Eudora Kean HS (Partner: ADM Wireless; Network ID: ADM-viNGN-free)
The public is invited to follow viNGN’s recovery efforts including all past updates on our Network Restoration Status page, at www.vingn.com/network-restoration-status.
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The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN) was established in 2010 as a public corporation; it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority. viNGN was funded primarily from an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant made by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as part of a federal program to improve the broadband capacity in the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia. The program is called the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). For more information regarding viNGN, call (340) 715-8581, or visit www.vingn.com.
