The 5 Biggest Myths About Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi. It has a reputation on the streets, and it’s not always positive. Just the mention of it and people picture sketchy connections, data breaches, or some hacker in a trench coat stealing your bank information.

But SmartTown isn’t public Wi-Fi. 

It’s a secure Wi-Fi roaming service that allows you to enjoy the same great Wi-Fi experience you have at home on the go. Need to make an emergency phone call? You can. Post a picture from the park? That too. You can finally roam free throughout the community, staying connected the entire time.

So let’s dive into the myths:

Myth #1: “It’s not really a need”

Let’s clear this one up with one single person: Mary.

Mary used to love her morning walks with her dog, breathing in the fresh air and soaking in the quiet beauty of her rural community. But as she got older, those walks became riskier. With no cell service on her country road, even a simple misstep could turn into a serious situation. She worried about falling and being unable to call for help, a fear that kept her closer to home.

Then, she connected to SmartTown Wi-Fi. With SmartTown on her phone, she walks those familiar paths with confidence, knowing she’s always connected and can make an emergency phone call if necessary.

For folks like Mary, SmartTown is a necessary service.

Myth #2: “It isn’t safe”

SmartTown is a network designed for safe, seamless connectivity. 

It starts with user authentication, which means only authorized users can access the network, creating a trusted, encrypted connection. Built-in virus, malware, and cyber protection add another layer of security, blocking digital threats in real time. Plus, with preloaded content filters, SmartTown automatically creates an age-appropriate online experience for all users. Open-network? Nah. This is a carefully curated community Wi-Fi experience for everyone to enjoy.

Myth #3: “You have to give up your privacy to use it”

How you use the internet, on your devices, should be up to you, and you alone. All Jade services, including SmartTown, are designed to protect your privacy and give you control over your information. 

No creepy tracking. 
No data mining. 
None of that BS. 

We’ve protected our customers from 2.1 Million threats in 2024, and we’re not stopping there.

Myth #4: “It’s stealing from someone”

SmartTown Wi-Fi leverages Wi-Fi hotspots in Jade-serviceable areas so users can connect their devices, when within reach.

This is a free service that comes with your Jade internet subscription. It even works in areas with no or poor cell service like Conejos Canyon, Cole Park in Alamosa, or Cuchara Mountain, boosting local business opportunities and fostering community. It’s the good kind of free, no guilt included.

Myth #5: “It can only be used for checking emails or social media”

Enjoy video chat, streaming, and Instagram Live without the constraints of cellular data caps. SmartTown brings unfettered internet access without the dreaded throttling.

We’ve even extended free SmartTown access to first responders throughout our communities so they can have rapid connectivity in urgent situations. Secure, reliable community-wide Wi-Fi provides critical communication lines for first responders, ensuring deputies have the backup they need in crucial moments. Like enabling medics to connect with hospital specialists in real time, or helping a search and rescue team coordinate in the middle of nowhere. Or better yet, letting a stranded hiker make a Wi-Fi call when there’s no cell signal for miles.

SmartTown Wi-Fi doesn’t just connect people, it protects them too.

It’s so much more

Here, community is a core value for us. And one of our favorite things about being a local company is investing our time, money, energy, and resources right back into our community. SmartTown is just another way for us to serve our community beyond our subscriber’s homes and businesses.

No myths. 
No sketchy stuff. 
Just Wi-Fi that works in the mountain, in the canyon, and even at the park.