New York's capital, Albany, will provide free outdoor wireless Internet for its residents and visitors.

Local service provider Tech Valley Communications will take the lead in deploying and managing the service. Users will be able to access the service initially at key strategic points of commerce and industry, according to a statement released by Cisco Systems. Its hardware will be used in the project.

We're making Albany a Smart City by cutting the wires and thereby the barriers to accessing the Internet, which will make New York's Capital City a more desirable destination, said Albany Mayor, Jerry Jennings.

In addition to promoting new forms of commerce, and helping residents stay connected, the city also plans to leverage the Wi-Fi network to augment and expand public safety, emergency response and other city services.

Cisco Systems