Free Wi-Fi now available in San Francisco’s Chinatown

The first phase of a long-planned effort to bring free public internet to Chinatown in San Francisco is now complete, city officials declared this week. It’s part of a broader initiative to close the digital divide by expanding connectivity in one of the city’s most densely populated neighborhoods.

Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the milestone on Wednesday, highlighting new public access to the city’s #SFWiFi network across key parts of Chinatown, the oldest and largest Chinatown in the United States, with roughly 15,000 residents living within a compact 24 to 30 block area.

Lurie framed the project in Chinatown as part of the city’s broader push to extend modern digital infrastructure to communities that have historically been left out of high-speed internet expansion.

“Access to opportunity online must be available to everyone in a city that leads the globe in technology and innovation,” Lurie said in a press release. “I am proud to celebrate the completion of the first phase of free public Wi-Fi in Chinatown and the addition of internet services for 234 families at Ping Yuen.”

The newly activated network provides free Wi-Fi along several blocks of Grant Avenue, including major community landmarks such as Dragon Gate and St. Mary’s Square. San Francisco already offers free public Wi-Fi at more than 20 locations citywide, including parks, plazas and other civic spaces.

The deployment in Chinatown is the first phase of a larger expansion of the city’s Wi-Fi network expected to roll out this year, according to the city’s announcement. Phase two is expected to extend coverage to additional streets, alleyways and public spaces in Chinatown and other neighborhoods.

District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, who represents the historic neighborhood, said the expansion is particularly important to Chinatown, where aging infrastructure and lower household incomes have historically limited broadband adoption.

“What we’re building in Chinatown is about more than connectivity; it’s about opportunity for families, seniors, and small businesses to expand their virtual network,” Sauter said in the release. “We’re helping ensure Chinatown residents are fully connected to education, jobs, healthcare, and one another.”