Add another check mark to the list of amenities -- or intrusions -- available for your Labor Day beach getaway.
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The Internet has arrived at state parks in Holland and Grand Haven.

SBC Communications Inc. today unveiled MiWiFi, a program with the state to provide wireless Internet "hotspots" at state parks, docks and rest areas.

Holland and Grand Haven state parks are the first of the program's several hundred potential deployments.

MiWiFi is part of SBC's FreedomLink unlimited WiFi (wireless fidelity) service, which costs $7.95 per day or $19.95 per month.

SBC will provide free access to the state government's Web site, Michigan.gov. Free access to the state's Michigan.org site, which provides tourism, job and economic development information, will be available later this year.

"I think it's just one more service we can provide," said Pat Whalen, unit supervisor at Grand Haven State Park. "It really is at no cost to the park here. We don't have to maintain the system. All of the orders can be handled online with a credit card."

Campers who arrive with air-conditioned RVs equipped with satellite dishes for big-screen TVs also want to check their e-mail or surf the Web, said Lauren McCadney, SBC's assistant vice president for WiFi deployment and market strategy.

"We worked really closely with the state to identify those parks that have the highest traffic and the most attractive demographics," McCadney said. "Those two locations enjoy a significant amount of traffic throughout the year."

Some campers at Grand Haven State Park already have been using wireless service provided by a citywide system installed by Ottawa Wireless Inc. earlier this year, Whalen said.

Ottawa Wireless charges $4.99 per day or $24.99 a month for WiFi access from almost anywhere in the city, including the park.

To access the SBC or Ottawa Wireless systems, users need a WiFi-enabled computer within range of an access point and a credit card to create an account.

The spread of MiWiFi to other state venues will depend on how well it is received at the pilot locations, McCadney said.

Terms of the deal, which was not put out for bid, were not disclosed.

Copyright © 2004. The Grand Rapids Press.