ImOn taking over free Wi-Fi in Iowa City Ped Mall

Cedar Rapids-based internet provider ImOn Communications will take over free Wi-Fi service in Iowa City's Pedestrian Mall.

ImOn announced this week that it will launch the service in the Ped Mall area between South Clinton Street and South Linn Street.

General public users of the Wi-Fi service will get two free hours each day. ImOn customers, meanwhile, will have unlimited access, the company said.

Nancy Bird, executive director of the Iowa City Downtown District, called the free Wi-Fi service 'critical to downtown vibrancy.”

ImOn's 'support of the Ped Mall free public Wi-Fi will give a huge lift to our local employee and student base who enjoys working outside on beautiful days, as well as those looking to connect for special cultural events,” she said in a news release.

The service is currently active, an ImOn spokeswoman said.

The free Wi-Fi service in the Ped Mall previously was operated by South Slope Cooperative Communications. The company said it has 'reallocated resources” to parts of its business where it has experienced 'tremendous growth.”

'As South Slope focuses our resources in other areas, we felt it was in both the ICDD and South Slope's best interests to move forward with ImOn as the Wi-Fi service provider,” South Slope spokesman Shane Von Holten said in an email.

ImOn already provides free Wi-Fi in downtown Cedar Rapids, McGrath Amphitheatre, NewBo City Market, the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena and in public parks in Hiawatha.

Folience, parent company of The Gazette, is an investor in ImOn.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; matthew.patane@thegazette.com