Downtown Apex Goes Wireless

Apex is a town where life slows down takes a break. Now something different is quietly picking up the pace. Downtown Apex is offering wireless Internet access -- the first downtown area in the Triangle to offer the service.

"It brings a little high tech to an old-fashioned downtown," said Pete Lapiana of the Town of Apex.

"It's just an extra reason to be here," town commissioner Bryan Gossage said.

Resident Eva Olsen may not know how it works, but she knows what it will do.

"If they know it's here, these people who are into computers, I understand, they will find these things out," Olsen said.

That means visitors who like to socially multitask can do so.

"You can talk to a neighbor here and you can also e-mail with friends as a way to stay in touch," Gossage explained.

It also means customers can take the office to lunch instead of the other way around.

"You don't have to feel like you're leashed to your desk," Gossage said.

The service stretches just a few blocks from Chatham to Center Streets, but some say that is enough distance to set this small Wake County town apart.

"Our historic downtown is the key to our town, but everyone who lives and works here in this area is very technology driven," restaurant owner Tim Carley said.

The town had to pay $3,000 for the equipment. BellSouth, the town's corporate sponsor, picks up the rest of the tab.

Raleigh's city council has approved wireless Internet service for the Fayetteville Street Mall.