A Wi-Fi pilot project currently underway could have broad applications if it goes well.

The City of New Westminster launched a free Wi-Fi pilot project in certain parts of the city in July.

The city selected Bell and Motorola to supply the access point hardware and the technology, working under the guidance of the city's information technology and electric utility departments.

"It's been going on for a month or so. It is going well," said Alvin Chok, the city's chief technology officer. "The system is very stable. It's a new technology."

Under the pilot project, Wi-Fi access will be available for up to 15 users at Queen's Park, the New Westminster Public Library and the uptown business district at Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street.

The pilot project is part of the city's long-term livable city strategy, which aims to attract businesses, residents and visitors to New Westminster.

"Quite a few (people) initially called in," Chok said of response "They were happy with what we are doing. I think it has got a lot of good response so far. So far, so good. People are very positive about the whole initiative."

During the pilot project, users will be limited to Wi-Fi access for one hour per day. Access codes for each location are: Queen's Park - 1122; library - 3388; and uptown business district - 2233.

Chok said the Wi-Fi technology is easy to use. People click on the icon that appears on their computer screen and put in a password when a login screen appears. He encourages people to try it out.

"The more we get people to try it you, the better," he said. "It's free access right now."

Work is being done to the "backend pipe," which will allow more than 15 people to access free Wi-Fi in each of these areas at any given time.

New Westminster is the first city in the Lower Mainland to use the latest 802.11N wireless technology, which provides the city with a versatile platform to test a variety of wireless applications for users during the pilot phase.

The pilot project will run until December, at which time the project will be evaluated and a decision will be made on whether to expand Wi-Fi across the city.

Wireless parking meters, traffic controls and security cameras are potential uses with Wi-Fi technology.

According to Chok, there are many layers of programming that could benefit from Wi-Fi once it's determined if the platform is stable. The pilot project is testing whether the technology is able to deliver what it promises to do.

"It's a very small step toward a high potential of applications down the road in the next five to 10 years," he said.