Free public Wi-Fi is available at Shoemaker Harbor thanks to a partnership between the borough and Tidal Network, a program of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.

The wireless internet service, which covers the general area of the harbor, has been operating successfully for more than two months and sees new users daily, according to Chris Cropley, director of Tidal Network.

“We wanted to come up with a system that would provide a meaningful service to the people of Wrangell and anybody who’s coming into town, however long they’re here,” he said.

The Wi-Fi is strong enough for a couple people on it at once to make video calls or stream a movie, but speeds depend on the number of users.

Wrangell is a testing place for Tidal Network to learn from federal requirements around the wireless spectrum.

In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, worked to open access to broadband internet by providing wireless spectrum licenses to tribes, but tribes need to use it or they’ll lose it.

Since powering up the system in Wrangell, Tidal Network learned that the new equipment operating at the harbor is not the right system to receive credits to “defend their spectrum,” Cropley said, so it will soon be switched to a different radio system. Users shouldn’t experience any change in service.

“We were honestly using a Mac truck to make a Costco delivery when really they (FCC) want us to use the Subaru, so we’ll use the Subaru,” Cropley said.

This is an example of how rules and regulations don’t always match up with the current technology, Cropley said, but he’s glad they’re getting the kinks out before expanding the service in other communities.

The Wi-Fi covers the entire harbor but doesn’t go beyond dockside and the parking area. The server has recorded a daily average of six users during its initial months, though there are currently no signs at the harbor informing people the connection is available.

“As computer guys, we take it for granted that people would know what Wi-Fi networks are around you at all times,” Cropley said. He added that Tidal Network is open to putting out signs if the borough agrees.

Wrangell’s Economic Development Director Kate Thomas said the borough hasn’t gotten any feedback about the Wi-Fi from the community; an indicator that many might not know the service exists.

Thomas added that this is Wrangell’s only harbor with free public wireless internet, and she’s grateful for the partnership with Tlingit and Haida to provide the access.

The agreement between the tribes and the borough was approved last fall and is good for two years, with the borough providing electrical power and Tidal Network maintaining all the equipment.

“The harbor is such a hub for information, it’s where you meet family and see flyers for what’s going on in the community,” Cropley said. “We’re glad we can provide something that has meaningful use.”