Contacts:
Holly Schaffer, Pima County Public Library Community Relations Manager
holly.schaffer@pima.gov, (520) 594-5610
Meredith Ford, NüPOINT Marketing
mford@nupointmarketing.com, (520) 305-6324
Andrea Katsenes, Cox Communications/Southern AZ
Andrea.katsenes@cox.com, (602) 694-1275
(Tucson, AZ) Pima County Public Library, in collaboration with Cox Communications, has launched “Hotspots Around Town.” This project makes available 120 external wireless access points in urban and rural areas of Pima County, including libraries, parks, Boys & Girls Clubs, and community centers. The first 70 access points launched yesterday, June 27, and the remaining 50 points will be launched by mid-July, 2022.
See a map with all the hotspots.
More information about "Hotspots Around Town" can be found on Connect Pima.
The Pima County Library system is providing $720,448, to be reimbursed through federal subsidies via the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), for the spots to be made available to the public for free. This three-year project will provide internet access, free of charge, to community members in locations where they already meet and congregate.
The ECF, a $7.17 billion program, is helping schools and libraries that are eligible for support under the FCC’s E-Rate Program to provide the tools and services their communities need, including hotspots, modems, routers, and computers.
Amber Mathewson is the Library’s Director. She says, “Pima County Public Library and Pima County Information Technology leveraged the funds and engaged with Cox Communications to bring forth a robust plan to provide internet access where it’s most needed.”
“Cox is committed to ensuring our neighbors have access to the educational and economic opportunities connectivity brings and have been focused on expanding internet services throughout Southern Arizona,” said Lisa Lovallo, Cox Communications Southern Arizona Market Vice President. “Public/private partnerships are a powerful tool for bridging the digital divide within our community and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with the Pima County Public Library team on this initiative.”
Library Deputy Director Michelle Simon says, “Providing access to the internet, devices, and training is a foundational value of public library service to the community. We’re excited to partner with Cox to bring this project to fruition.”
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Pima County Public Library
For more than 100 years, we’ve been here for people just like you. Today, in our libraries, online, or out in the community, our dedicated staff and volunteers are always looking ahead to help you find what you’re looking for. Every day, we’re making our mission a reality by educating and connecting people and inspiring ideas.
Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. In Southern Arizona we serve approximately 400,000 product subscribers with residential and business digital television, 1G high speed Internet, security systems and digital telephone service over our nationwide IP network. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. The 3,500 Arizona employees of Cox are proud to have topped numerous J.D. Power and Associates’ studies of customer satisfaction, received PC Magazine’s “people’s choice” award and for many years top “Ranking Arizona-Best of Arizona Business” list. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
