Free Public Wi-Fi

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During the height of the pandemic, the city of Phoenix expanded its Wi-Fi coverage outside of nearly 50 libraries, community, senior, and recreation centers to ensure all students had internet access. Today, this public service continues to provide approximately 1.18 square miles (32,941,068 square feet) of exterior Wi-Fi coverage. Residents can sit in parking lots and public areas outside of participating facilities to connect their devices daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Phoenix's focus on digital equity ensures students have 13 hours of internet access a day to participate in distance learning and navigate online tools. Phoenix City Council approved the installation of Wi-Fi antennas on city-owned, public facilities in May through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

This public information page provides the names and locations of participating city-owned facilities and FAQs to help bridge the digital divide. 


Find the nearest location​


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​How to Connect Your Device

This public offering is available to all residents, especially students and parents who need access to participate in distance learning. Free Wi-Fi is available daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at participating locations. Wi-Fi users may walk up to connect outside of the city building, while others may drive into the parking to connect from their car.  The Wi-Fi signal is strongest closer to the building.​  To use this service, you need a wireless device such as a laptop computer, smart phone, or tablet.​

Connection steps may vary by device. Generally, users should locate the network and internet setting on the device. When searching for the available city Wi-Fi network, look for PHXCITYWIFI and connect to it.  Open a browser and enter any URL to access and accept the user agreement. There is no password required. ​

When connecting at a Phoenix Public Library, use one of these corresponding network names:

  • Burton Barr: library-free-wifi

  • Cesar Chavez, Cholla, Ironwood, Juniper, Mesquite, Palo Verde, Saguaro: library2-free-wifi

  • Acacia,​ Agave, Desert Broom, Desert Sage: library3-free-wifi

  • Century, Harmon, Ocotillo, Yucca: library4-free-wifi

When connecting to all other locations, use: PHXCITYWIFI

Click on the map image to enlarge or print the paper version of our outdoor locations:


 

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​​​FAQs

1. What locations offe​r free, outdoor Wi-Fi?

The city has 44 facilities with reliable outdoor internet access through expanded Wi-Fi coverage. Five additional locations will offer this service in approximately 90 days. 

City of Phoenix facilities offering expanded Wi-Fi are:

  • Acacia Library--750 E. Townley Ave. 
  • Adam Diaz Senior Center--4115 W. Thomas Rd.
  • Agave Library--23550 N. 36th Ave. 
  • Burton Barr Central Library--1221 N. Central Ave. 
  • Century Library--1750 E. Highland Ave. 
  • Cesar Chavez Library--3635 W. Baseline Rd. 
  • Cholla Library--10050 Metro Parkway E. 
  • Deer Valley Senior Center--2001 W. Wahalla Ln. 
  • Desert Broom Library--29710 N. Cave Creek Rd 
  • Desert Sage Library--7602 W. Encanto Blvd. 
  • Desert West Senior Center--6501 W. Virginia Ave. 
  • Devonshire Senior Center--2802 E. Devonshire Ave. 
  • Eastlake Park Community Center--1549 E. Jefferson St. 
  • Faye Gray Recreation Center--5745 S. 20th St. 
  • Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center/ Paseo--3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd. 
  • Harmon Recreation Center and Library --1425 S. 5th Ave.
  • Helen Drake Senior Center--7600 N 27th Ave. 
  • Ironwood Library--4333 E. Chandler Blvd. 
  • John F. Long Family Services Center--3454 N. 51st Ave. 
  • Juniper Library--1825 W. Union Hills Dr. 
  • Longview Neighborhood Recreation Center--4040 N. 14th St. 
  • Marc Atkinson Recreation Center--4535 N. 23rd Ave. 
  • Marcos de Niza Senior Center--305 W. Pima St. 
  • Maryvale Community Center/ Palo Verde Library--4420 N. 51st Ave. 
  • McDowell Place--1845 E. McDowell Road 
  • Mesquite Library--4525 E. Paradise Village Parkway N. 
  • Mountain View Community Center--1104 E. Grovers Ave. 
  • Muriel Smith Recreation Center--2230 W. Roeser Rd. 
  • Ocotillo Library--102 W. Southern Ave. 
  • Paradise Valley Community Center-17402 N. 40th St. 
  • Pecos Community Center--17010 S. 48th St. 
  • Saguaro Library--2808 N. 46th St. 
  • Shadow Mountain Community Center--3546 E. Sweetwater Ave. 
  • South Mountain Community Center--212 E. Alta Vista Rd. 
  • South Phoenix Youth Center--5245 S. 7th St. 
  • Sunnyslope Community Center--802 E. Vogel Ave. 
  • Sunnyslope Family Services Center--914 W. Hatcher Road 
  • Sunnyslope Youth Center--1702 W. Peoria Ave. 
  • Travis L. Williams Family Services Center--4732 S. Central Ave
  • University Park Recreation Center--1002 W. Van Buren St. 
  • Verde Park Recreation Center--916 E. Van Buren St. 
  • Vernell Coleman Recreation Center--830 W. Tonto St. 
  • Washington Activity Center--2240 W. Citrus Way 
  • Yucca Library--5648 N. 15th Ave. 

 

2. What days/times can I access city Wi-Fi?

Free, outdoor Wi-Fi is available daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at each of the identified locations.


 

3. How do I connect to city W-Fi?

Connection steps may vary by device. Generally, users should locate the network and internet setting on the device. When searching for the available city Wi-Fi network, look for PHXCITYWIFI and connect to it.  Open a browser and enter any URL to access and accept the user agreement. There is no password required. 

When connecting at a Phoenix Public Library, use one of these corresponding network names:

• Burton Barton: library-free-wifi 

• Cesar Chavez, Cholla, Ironwood, Juniper, Mesquite, Palo Verde, Saguaro: library2-free-wifi

• Acacia, Agave, Desert Broom, Desert Sage: library3-free-wifi

• Century, Harmon, Ocotillo, Yucca: library4-free-wifi


 

4. Who is eligible to access free Wi-Fi?

This public offering is available to all residents, especially students and parents who need access to participate in distance learning. To use this service, you need a wireless device such as a laptop computer, smart phone, or tablet. 


 

5. How close must I be to a location to connect? 

In most cases, Wi-Fi can be accessed by residents as far as the building’s parking lot for participating locations. Some users may walk up to connect outside of the building, while others may drive into the parking to connect from their car.  The Wi-Fi signal is strongest closer to the building.


 

6. Why is the city expanding Wi-Fi?

The city of Phoenix is addressing the digital divide by offering free, public Wi-Fi at city-owned, public facilities to help residents and their students whose schools are closed due to the pandemic. 


 

7. Who is paying for this? 

Installing Wi-Fi antennas on city-owned, public facilities (Libraries, Community/Senior Centers, Recreation Centers) was approved by Phoenix City Council in May through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As a result, the current funds are to be expended by December 30, 2020. 


 

8. How do I protect my privacy while using the city’s Wi-Fi?

Residents are always encouraged to practice safe digital behavior including, but not limited to avoiding visits to unfamiliar websites or clicking on links from unknown solicitors. 


 

9. Are there any sites going to be blocked? What type of access will I have?

Cybersecurity measures have always been in place at city of Phoenix buildings. Sites deemed inappropriate are blocked.


 

10. How long will this offer last?

There is no anticipated end to the city’s expanded Wi-Fi offering. 


 

11. How do I report issues with city Wi-Fi? 

The city will monitor and address site issues but is unable to assist individuals onsite with access needs. 


 

Troubleshooting Tips

• When connecting to an outdoor city Wi-Fi network, users must be no further than the building’s parking lot. 

• If users experience a challenge connecting to Wi-Fi while sitting in the parking lot, try moving to a different spot to find a stronger signal. 

• If using a locked device issued by a school, please contact the school district for guidance. 


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