WeHoWiFi is the City of West Hollywood’s first major free outdoor public Wi-Fi network. With the rapid growth of technology and the increasing demand for connectivity, the City believes that providing free outdoor public Wi-Fi is an important service that can make a significant difference in the lives of people who live, work, and visit West Hollywood. The City’s WeHoWiFi network provides free outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity to members of the public, including residents, businesses, visitors, and city staff members who are working in the field.
The Wi-Fi network currently spans the entire length of Santa Monica Boulevard within West Hollywood utilizing a network of powerful Wi-Fi 6 access points installed at traffic light intersections and select transit shelters along the boulevard that provide robust Wi-Fi coverage. In addition, the free outdoor public Wi-Fi network is also available at West Hollywood Park, including the Aquatic and Recreation Center, and at the Plummer Park Community Center.
Members of the public may access the WeHoWiFi network via mobile device by selecting ‘WeHoWiFi’ and agreeing to the terms of service.
Looking ahead, the City of West Hollywood, through its Information Technology and Engineering Divisions, has an active procurement to bring fiber infrastructure to Sunset Boulevard, N. Fairfax Avenue, N. La Brea Avenue, Fountain Avenue, and N. Doheny Drive, with the aim of eventually bringing free outdoor public Wi-Fi and Smart City applications to each of those locations within West Hollywood.
For additional information about WeHoWiFi, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Information Technology Division at it@weho.org or at (323) 848-6448.What is Public Wi-Fi?
The City of West Hollywood provides free wireless Internet access within certain areas within city limits. It is open for use by all citizens, businesses, and visitors.
Where is Public Wi-Fi Available?
Public Wi-Fi is available along most of Santa Monica Blvd. The access points are placed on select traffic signals and bus shelters. It is also available at West Hollywood park, the Aquatic and Recreation Center, and Plummer Park Community Center.
Can I use the Public Wi-Fi Indoors?
Public Wi-Fi is not designed to be used inside buildings.
Can I use the Public Wi-Fi in my car?
Public Wi-Fi is not designed to be used inside a vehicle, moving or stationary
What Devices can I use on Public Wi-Fi?
Any Wi-Fi enabled device can connect.
How do I Connect?
Select the wireless network named “WEHOWiFi” on your device. It’s an open network and does not require a password to join. Once connected, you’ll be required to agree to the terms and conditions of the Public Wi-Fi.
How Fast is the Service?
Service speeds will vary due to factors like your device, how close you are to the access point, how many other devices are connected, etc. In most cases, you should have enough speed to browse websites, check your email, and stream high-definition video.
Are my Data and Connection Secure?
West Hollywood Public Wi-Fi uses the same type of security as restaurants and coffee shops. Like any public Wi-Fi, users are advised against transmitting highly sensitive data.
Will it always be available?
While the City strives to keep the Wi-Fi operational at all times, the service may be unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances like weather, Internet provider outages, network upgrades, or technical issues.
I’m Having Issues Connecting. What Should I do?
- Make sure the Wi-Fi is turned ON on your device.
- Disconnect/Forget the “WEHOWiFi” network and reconnect.
- Reboot your device and try reconnecting.
- Move to a different area and try again.
I don’t see “WEHOWiFi” at all. What should I do?
- Make sure the Wi-Fi is turned ON on your device.
- If you’re indoors or in a car, go outside. WeHo Public Wi-Fi is not designed to be used inside buildings or vehicles, moving or stationary.
- Are you in an area where Public Wi-Fi is offered? WeHo Public Wi-Fi is only available:
- Santa Monica Blvd within West Hollywood city limits
- The Aquatic and Recreation Center
- West Hollywood Park
- Plummer Park Community Center
Does West Hollywood collect any information about me or my device?
The City does not have access to your device, nor do we collect any personal information. However, our Wi-Fi system does collect statistics such as device type, operating system, and Wi-Fi usage that will help us better serve the public as this service grows.
Additional Connection FAQs
How do I connect my Apple Phone/Tablet?
NOTE: Instructions may vary depending on the device or iOS version
- Open Settings
- Select Wi-Fi
- Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on (should be green)
- Select “WEHOWiFi” from the list.
- Follow the prompt to accept the terms and conditions.
How do I connect my Android Phone/Tablet?
NOTE: Instructions may vary depending on the device or Android version
- Swipe down the Notification bar and select the Internet button.
- Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on (The switch should be to the right)
- Select “WEHOWiFi” from the list.
- Follow the prompt to accept the terms and conditions.
How do I connect on my Apple Mac Computer?
NOTE: Instructions may vary depending on the device or OSX version
- Click the Wi-Fi icon on the top menu bar.
- Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on (Wi-Fi icon should have horizontal curved bars)
- Select “WEHOWiFi” from the list.
- Follow the prompt to accept the terms and conditions.
How do I connect on my Microsoft Windows Computer?
NOTE: Instructions may vary depending on the device or Windows version
- Click the Wi-Fi icon by the clock on the bottom right.
- Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on (Wi-Fi icon box should be colored in)
- Select “WEHOWiFi” from the list.
- Follow the prompt to accept the terms and conditions.
Unfortunately, this headline is a LIE “Did you know WeHo has free Wi-Fi?” it should say Santa Monica Blvd. has limited wifi. LOL!!!!
It may be churlish to point it out but “along most of Santa Monica Blvd” does not translate to “citywide.”
Verbiage must be true and correct and NOT misleading.
Of course if WeHo really was the “creative city” and was committed to free speech and artistic expression they would remove the content censorship on their wifi. It is pretty insulting how many websites that feature content of interest to gay and lesbian audiences are summarily blocked.
I’m guessing they’re using some off-the-shelf platform where they block porn for liability. Wouldn’t want little Timmy’s litigious parents to sue the City because he pulled pornhub up on the public wifi network.
I doubt WeHo, of all places, would purposely block any LGBTQ-related content.
Btw, making this comment from the new network while walking my dog and it’s been a great experience so far.
What a surprise! I didn’t know the city was building a new public wi-fi system until this article showed.I don’t recall this project was ever discussed at any city council meeting or announced through notice. The Q and A section stated the public wi-fi cannot be used in buildings.Not necessarily so.You can buy an external directional wi-fi antenna that can be connected to your laptop or desktop.If you are near Santa Monica Blvd. and one of the wi-fi 6 access points as described,you can use the public wi-fi. The article didn’t mention time usage limitations,so beware.This will be the perfect… Read more »
“Any Wi-Fi enabled device can connect”. This is not true. A connecting device must support connections that use a “captive portal”. This is the term used to describe the web page required to accept the terms of use. A LOT of devices do not support these or are setup in a way that prevents a captive portal from working. Would be nice if the city were to support account creation and device registration. If they REALLY wanted to make this useful, they would allow devices on the same account to directly communicate with one another. This would let you connect… Read more »
While an interesting idea, and something I’d like to see, I can’t think of a single city I’ve visited that allowed devices on a public network to communicate with one another. I don’t even know if what you’re talking about exists anywhere in the world (20 years in corporate IT speaking here). I also can’t think of more than a handful of very esoteric or ancient devices that can’t use a captive portal. Heck, I’m pretty sure even the screenless chromecast can get past a captive portal. Honestly, I’m just happy to not have to rely on Verizon’s crappy service… Read more »
James. Getting a bit technical given your stated IT background. It’s simple VLAN segmentation based on account association. Many networks support this. It’s built into the Hotspot 2.0 standard. It only gets complicated for networks that have more than about 4k simultaneous clients with multiple devices associated with the same account or for non-contiguous deployments. Without these issues, or when they do not apply, it is a checkbox on many vendor’s equipment. Spectrum’s system supports it on their Hotspot 2.0 WiFi networks for devices on the same account connected to the same WAP. They also support MAC address based registration… Read more »
Interesting concept, and something I’d love to see. However, I’m not sure it would be something worth rebuilding their entire network for. I think I saw one of their APs and it was Meraki, which I don’t believe supports that standard (at least I don’t recall seeing it as an option the last time I used the platform). I could see it being useful for a network where folks are static and may have devices that need to communicate with one another, like a hotel room. For outdoor Wi-Fi in a public setting, I feel like it would be of… Read more »