<p><em>Photo via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BAS2oBjSpeY/?taken-by=linknycofficial" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </em></p><p>Accessing the Internet in New York just got a whole lot more interesting and, thankfully, easier.</p><p>As <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/19/10789468/new-york-public-wi-fi-linknyc-connected" target="_blank">The Verge's Russell Brandon</a> reports, New York's first foray into its much publicized <a href="http://www.link.nyc/" target="_blank">LinkNYC</a> network went live Tuesday, sending the first trickles of information to those who have the mind to log into the free Wi-Fi solution.</p><p>For the uninitiated, LinkNYC, of which you can learn more about at <a href="http://www.link.nyc/" target="_blank">its website</a>, is a network of now defunct pay phones that have been re-serviced to provide "superfast, free public Wi-Fi, phone calls device charging and a tablet for Internet browsing, access to city services, maps and directions."</p><p>If you are headed to the area at the moment or are a local who wants to get in on the presumed high-speed action then take a peek at this video tutorial that will have you logged on in no time:</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9EbcJm5v8p4" width="640">##</iframe></p><p>LinkNYC took to Twitter to report which locations are now doling out free Wi-Fi:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">NYC, are you ready for free Wi-Fi? You can check out any of our 4 new beta locations - 145 3rd Ave, 165 3rd Ave, 188 3rd Ave, 203 3rd Ave</p>- LinkNYC (@LinkNYC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LinkNYC/status/689459243582287874">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote><p><InvalidTag async src=" " charset="utf-8">##</script></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're live! You can test out LinkNYC's free Wi-Fi & phone charging at any of our 4 locatio… <a href="https://t.co/eJ1YwvEeHY">https://t.co/eJ1YwvEeHY</a> <a href="https://t.co/hLo8hGdJua">pic.twitter.com/hLo8hGdJua</a></p>- LinkNYC (@LinkNYC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LinkNYC/status/689491406042173440">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote><p><InvalidTag async src=" " charset="utf-8">##</script></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hello world! <a href="https://twitter.com/LinkNYC">@LinkNYC</a> is Live! Check out free 1Gb wi-if on 3rd Ave and 16th Street. <a href="https://t.co/oDjndlNun3">pic.twitter.com/oDjndlNun3</a></p>- Jen Hensley (@JenMarieHensley) <a href="https://twitter.com/JenMarieHensley/status/689500680776654848">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote><p><InvalidTag async src=" " charset="utf-8">##</script></p><p>In time, LinkNYC will take the place of over 7,500 pay phone locations throughout New York City.</p><p>For the moment, you can bask in the information at the four locations listed above: 145 3rd Ave., 165 3rd Ave., 188 3rd Ave. and 203 3rd Ave.</p><p>The Verge also states that locals can expect to have 500 links by the middle of July. As for speed, it seems to be right up there with expectations.</p><p>The report states: "The network is still officially in beta, and the group anticipates some changes as the network expands, but the current version is significantly faster than many commercially available connections. A Verge test found both upload and download speeds faster than 300 Mbps."</p><p>What's more, you can also access each hub's tablet to make free calls to anywhere in the nation thanks to a partnership with Vonage.</p><p>Soon the city will be replete with a jack-of-all-trades station that can phone home, charge your device or offer the kind of Wi-Fi that will get you to where you need to go.</p><p>New York just gifted its locals and visitors a truly remarkable service.</p>
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