US News

Wired up! Homeless used as Wi-Fi hotspots

A new program has homeless people serving as the latest in Wi-Fi accessibility.

The marketing company who created Homeless Hotspots have enlisted homeless people to roam the streets wearing a “I am a 4G hotspot” T-shirt.

The group’s Web site says the project began as a charitable initiative by BBH New York and allows the homeless “an opportunity to sell a digital service instead of a material commodity.

“SXSW Interactive attendees can pay what they like to access 4G networks carried by our homeless collaborators.”

The project is intended to deliver “better transit connectivity during the conference” and could come to New York later this year.