EDITORIAL & OPINION: U. City joins info highway

Penn's efforts to bring high speed Internet access to University City is a nice touch for a neighborhood on the rise. But sometimes, it's the little things that count, and in this vein, a recently announced initiative to provide high-speed Internet access to area homes is a nice touch, sure to be welcomed by area residents. Penn students who live in the surrounding area will benefit tremendously from the plan, bringing their Internet access up to speeds comparable to those enjoyed by students living in on-campus dormitories. Currently, students living off campus must dial in to a modem pool. The new plan would allow simultaneous use of the phone and the Internet via one of several new technologies, as well as substantially decreased download times. Additionally, none of the technologies being considered would require the installation of new wiring in neighborhood homes. Furthermore, at a time when Penn is searching to find ways to encourage students, both graduate and undergraduate, to consider University City as an alternative to a Center City apartment, the plan offers a welcome incentive for those choosing to live in the area. Of course, West Philadelphia residents can already pay for high-speed Internet access entirely independent of the University. But Penn hopes to negotiate a substantially discounted rate with providers. As the Internet grows increasingly popular and useful, such considerations have become much more important for apartment and house hunters, who not too many years ago would have cared very little for such amenities. High-speed connections have become an increasingly common feature in many highly competitive urban markets, where building owners are forced to find new amenities to attract residents. And while many companies have begun offering similar hook-ups in ever-expanding areas of the country, they remain fairly expensive and not all that common.