The Phoenix Wi-Fi project would cover approximately 90 blocks in the Copper Square area and later could be expanded to other parts of the city.

Cities locally and across the country have been developing wireless Internet networks at a growing rate over the past few years. Cities such as Philadelphia have struggled to get an expensive network up and running, while others, such as Tempe, have low-cost citywide coverage because of a private company it hired.

Phoenix is positioned to learn from the mistakes other cities have made in developing their networks, and downtown officials say the time is right to develop the service.

About $2.5 billion in new downtown development is slated over the next three years, including hotels and condos, an expanded Convention Center and light rail running through Copper Square.

The Downtown Phoenix Partnership says it's too early to know exactly how much a Wi-Fi network would cost or how it would be accessed and managed, but in the next few months it plans to begin working with a consultant to iron out the details.

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