SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Mayor Edward M. Lee announced on Wednesday, January 27 that improvements for the #SFWiFi will take place along Market Street. The region is the City’s busiest and most economically diverse corridor and is home to the city’s largest, free public celebrations, including free events for Super Bowl 50, in preparation for Super Bowl week.

According to a press release from the Mayor’s website, enhancements will also take place in five San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) stations along Market Street: Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, and Van Ness.

“Enhanced reliable, free high-speed Internet along Market Street will help all San Franciscans stay connected,” said Mayor Lee. “Improvements will be made in time for our free, public celebrations for Super Bowl 50 and will be a lasting legacy after the celebrations are over. Whether you’re a tourist buying a ticket to ride our historic cable cars, a resident paying your water bill or a small business taking mobile electronic payments, we are leveraging technology to help our residents, visitors and businesses.”

The Department of Technology is working with the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee to install technology to maintain high-speed Internet to large volumes of users who are expected to access the network at Super Bowl City.

“We’re excited that these technology upgrades will ensure visitors, residents and businesses have uninhibited access to #SFWiFi, both above ground and underground,” said Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of the Department of Technology Miguel A. Gamiño Jr. “As we focus on the increasing demands for Wi-Fi, we observe sustained and growing use of our current #SFWiFi public service. We are seizing the opportunity to enhance #SFWiFi so everyday residents gain an ongoing and improved connected experience, and we can continue to support many more simultaneous users as a result of the event.”

The Super Bowl 50 Host Committee is in charge of Super Bowl City and developing interactive games and activities to help in the celebration of the milestone 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl.

“Super Bowl celebrations are designed to be interactive and reflect the spirit and personality of the entire region,” said Super Bowl Host Committee CEO Keith Bruce. “#SFWiFi is key to that interactive experience.”

The #SFWiFi was developed in 2013 and is available in 33 parks and public spaces, all public libraries and over three miles of the Market Street corridor. The Department of Technology manages the network delivering service typically far-exceeding Federal Communications Commission defined “broadband” speeds of 25Mbps, with plans for network expansion into additional parks and public spaces.

The mayor is crafting a plan to further spread connectivity for the public benefit throughout the city of San Francisco to ensure all residents have access to high-speed Internet connectivity. The project continues to be a top priority for Mayor Lee because of the endless benefits that free Wi-Fi brings to the residents and visitors of San Francisco.