A group trying to bring free wireless internet access to the National Mall is urging people to contact the Smithsonian and encourage them to allow the group to use of the institution’s buildings to install six antennae. In the alert the group reports that the Smithonian broke off discussions after nearly a year of negotiations in February, but has been encouraged by a recent report that they may be reconsidering the decision. The plan being discussed wouldn’t cost the Smithsonian anything, as the group would reimburse any staffing costs associated with the installation.

The nonprofit Open Park Project has been working to bring free wifi internet access to the National Mall area – their hotspot at the U.S. Supreme Court is active, and they provided temporary internet access along Pennsylvania Avenue during the presidential inauguration. The group argues that in addition to serving the Smithsonian’s public mission of providing information to the public, the network would help remedy the institution’s “IT shortfall” by providing Smithsonian visitors access to some of the Smithonian’s many online-only resources, which aren’t easily accessible from the museums because there are no public internet terminals. DCist is a fan of free internet and think the plan sounds like a good one. We hope Smithsonian can find some extra roof space to contribute to the effort.