Free public Wi-Fi will be integrated throughout San Francisco’s Chinatown in the next year, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced.

Members of the public can now access #SFWiFi on Grant Avenue from Pacific Avenue to Broadway, as well as at Dragon Gate and in St. Mary’s Square. #SFWiFi is the city’s free internet service that is available in certain parks and plazas citywide.

“We are extending modern, high-performing Wi-Fi to under-resourced neighborhoods throughout San Francisco,” Lurie said. “With free Wi-Fi, our Chinatown residents will have access to the internet from their homes, places of work and our parks.”

“Access to reliable Wi-Fi in San Francisco’s Chinatown isn’t just about connection, it’s about equity.”
Supervisor Danny Sauter

Chinatown’s aging infrastructure and low-income populations mean that many residents rely on Wi-Fi at public libraries branches. Nearly half of all Chinatown households did not have broadband internet access in 2024, according to research conducted by Chinese for Affirmative Action, an organization that aims to protect the civil and political rights of immigrants.

“Being one of the few areas that offers free Wi-Fi in this neighborhood, the library is often the only place for some to work and use online banking or legal services,” Lurie said. “Older infrastructure, especially in SROs, means that residents can’t access the fast internet service that they need.”

“Access to reliable Wi-Fi in San Francisco’s Chinatown isn’t just about connection, it’s about equity,” said Supervisor Danny Sauter. “It ensures seniors, families, and small businesses can access resources, opportunities, and community in the digital age.”

Alise Maripuu is an intern at BCN with a focus on covering the Peninsula. Originally from San Carlos, Alise discovered her passion for journalism after studying abroad in Thailand during her senior year attending UC Santa Cruz. Her experience in Thailand taught her the consequences for democracy when living in a society with strict laws against free speech. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history, Alise took courses in journalism at Skyline Community College to learn how to write for news. As the Chief Copy Editor on Skyline’s student-run newspaper for the 2023-24 school year, Alise gained editing and managing experience leading a team of reporters. She covered hyperlocal stories affecting her campus such as the rise in food and housing insecurity. Alise wants to focus on data journalism.