An example is the Thomasville Police Department, which can utilize the network by having a consistent stream of digital video, eliminating the need for officers to return to the station to upload videos.

“Wireless Internet will give the officers complete access to critical information from the expediency of their patrol cars,” Police Chief Ellis Jackson said in the release. “This service will assist in minimizing time officers spend commuting to the station and allow for more time to spend on the streets.”

Vickers and Golden said the service is easy to use as long as a person has an industry standard Wi-Fi card in their laptop or other portable device.

“Just search for available wireless networks and you will find CNS Public if you are in a location where we have it available,” Golden said. “Select it and you will be prompted to our splash page, which will have links to local sites such as city government.”

Vickers said connection to these sites is free, but if someone wants to search the Web, they must sign up for the service.

Wireless Internet is available to existing Rose.Net customers for $4.95 per month. Daily, weekly and monthly rates are also available, officials said.

Starting Thursday for two weeks, customers will be allowed a free trial of Rose.Net Wireless. The city will be giving out username and password slips at the event, allowing potential customers to surf any site on the Web for the trial period.

Then, they would need to sign up with Rose.Net Wireless to continue the service.

“We are pleased to add wireless Internet service to the wide variety of utility services we offer,” Mayor David Lewis said in the release. “We believe this service will be a tremendous asset in promoting economic development, expanding educational opportunities as well as improving the efficiency of our services.”

All utilities customers are invited to stick around after the “Wire Cutting” to attend Customer Appreciation Day. Departments will have displays, activities and free giveaways on site.

“We value our customers,” Nix said. “We encourage them to stop by, ask questions and learn more about our various services.”