By early spring, laptop-computer users may have the ability to connect wirelessly in the downtown Madison area, as network-provider company Cellnet works to link the city.

With wireless access, Madison may be the first city of its size to have a widely deployed wireless network, said George Twigg, communications director for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

"It will be a value to Madisonians and give Madison a competitive edge in attracting businesses and conferences," he said. "This will give us one more unique thing to brag about."

Cellnet aims to finish the first phase of the wireless network by early spring, according to Dane County Board Chairman Scott McDonell.

Twigg said the network's implementation will be the culmination of a drawn-out process that began nearly two years ago.

The city had originally made a deal with America Online to provide citywide wireless access but decided last fall to pull out, Twigg added.

"AOL decided they weren't going to pursue Wi-Fi anywhere nationally," he said. "Into that void stepped Cellnet, and they've picked up where AOL left off."

McDonell said Cellnet's experience with national wireless networking and the company's utility knowledge appealed to the County Board.

"They're used to working with the utilities and the government," he said. "We have more faith that they'll be able to provide a solid network."

McDonell emphasized that while Cellnet will wirelessly network the city, the company will not be the primary Internet provider.

"It's like they're going to own the pipe but [will be] letting other people run water through it," he explained.

In addition to the availability downtown, Cellnet is currently trying to coordinate with the University of Wisconsin to provide wireless access in the entire campus area, according to McDonell.

The entire effort, McDonell added, will further improve student technology beyond campus.

"You can use wireless at the library or at the terrace, but now the wireless the UW provides will be available for the whole city," he said. "That'll be nice for students and make students more mobile."

UW graduate student Jamie Ahlberg said she liked the idea of the plan but needed more details about costs.

"In general, it's a really cool idea," she said. "But I'm motivated by whatever's cheapest."

Ahlberg added that some downtown restaurants already offer free wireless access and, combined with a cheaper Internet plan, may save students money.

According to McDonell, the tentative cost for accessing the wireless network is $25, but the company is looking to create a bulk rate for students, adding that the cost will later give wireless access anywhere in Madison.

"When people first hear about it, they say it should be free," he said. "But when we explain it'll be a substitution [for providers], then they suddenly realize the value of it."

Despite the planning delays, Twigg said the wait for such a groundbreaking initiative is worth it.

"It's been a complicated project, and it's no surprise that there have been some obstacles," he said. "We think that the model we have is a good one."

McDonell echoed Twiggs' sentiments, adding that the city will be a model for similar-sized cities in the future.

"It'll be really exciting to be one of the first cities to do this," he said. "I don't know another city our size that will have the type of network that we'll have when it's all done."