My University has recently changed their wireless system so that all users sign in to an access point which is building-specific. I’ve often thought that this might offer an excellent opportunity to share information about what’s going on in a particular location, or on campus as a whole. Perhaps some kind of events or news board for a building might have the power to bring people together in a way that a traditional bulletin board might not. By creating an online space which is tied to a physical place, individuals may have more opportunities to get to know others.
The same may be true for municipal WiFi projects. If communities can utilize easy-to-use online tools which are integrated with a physical location, people might find an interest in events, volunteer opportunities, or other civic actions that they may not have otherwise.