FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Brian Robb or Steve Pierce
734.274-2512
brobb@yahoo.com or Steve@Ypsi.com
http://wireless.ypsi.com

Wireless Ypsi Reaches 12,750 Users in First Year
Group on Track to Rule the World!

YPSILANTI, Michigan (February 1, 2009) – Today Wireless Ypsi celebrates their first year anniversary and announced they had topped 12,750 users and 6.5 terabytes of data over the network. Wireless Ypsi launched on January 31st of 2008 year with 15 access points. Since then, the network has grown to over 150 access points and covers nearly 2 miles of Ypsilanti and the surrounding area.

Wireless Ypsi is a collaboration between local residents and business owners to leverage local infrastructure in order to provide broadband wireless access to Ypsilanti. Wireless Ypsi uses San Francisco-based Meraki Network’s hardware to provide a free community wireless Internet Service.

“The numbers are amazing. Over 500 people a day are using Wireless Ypsi.” said Steve Pierce, co-founder. “What’s even more amazing”, added co-founder Brian Robb, “is the number of people frequenting Downtown and Depot Town that are bringing computers into shops and restaurants to work and visit.”

Even Congdon’s Ace Hardware on Pearl Street in Downtown Ypsilanti has a Wireless Ypsi node. One day a customer was trying to find a part for a faucet. He opened his laptop, got on-line and was able to show the clerk which faucet.

Wireless Ypsi has demonstrated that Ypsilanti is part of Washtenaw County’s high-tech culture. Free Internet access is just one more reason to come visit Ypsilanti.

In year two, Wireless Ypsi expects to double their service again expanding coverage into Riverside and Frog Island Parks as well as working with the Ypsilanti Housing Commission and area agencies to provide coverage for hundreds of residents in at-risk neighborhoods.

About Wireless Ypsi
Wireless Ypsi was started by Steve Pierce and Brian Robb in January 2008 with the goal of bringing free, broadband wireless access to Ypsilanti and surrounding communities. In the spring of 2008 with the support of Rep. John D. Dingell’s office (D-Mich), Wireless Ypsi helped neighboring communities start free, wireless networks in Dearborn, Lincoln Park, and Trenton, Michigan as well as Wayne County’s Elizabeth Park. In addition, Wireless Ypsi has deployed nodes in other municipalities and just this week, Downtown Ann Arbor and Whitmore Lake became the most recent communities to host a Wireless Ypsi node.