Natalie Daher

If you are roaming in Savage (MN) without Internet access, Mediacom just bought you some web time. In July, the cable TV company plans to install at least 10 Wi-Fi antennas in central spots around the city, including parks and sports facilities. Only Mediacom subscribers will receive full access to Wi-Fi, but other subscribers can get about 30 minutes for free, an airport-style amenity.

"It's basically like the Wi-Fi you have in your house, but larger and stronger," said Savage's assistant city administrator, Brad Larson. For device holders, it's "just giving you more access to free data." Savage is one of several testing grounds, and the only one in Minnesota, for the community service, which Mediacom hopes to take national. This is also Savage's first community Wi-Fi project, as public connectivity is now limited to city facilities. More users using more devices — from tablets to wearable technology — adds virtual traffic, and more Wi-Fi opens up lanes.