New York City is getting widespread Wi-Fi through a public-private consortium that will bring Internet access for free. The LinkNYC network will be funded by advertising and estimated to generate more than $500 million in revenue over the next 12 years.

The LinkNYC network is being constructed in old payphone locations, with help from a consortium called CityBridge and the city government. CityBridge's group is made up of transit advertising agency Titan, design agency Control Group, networking business Qualcomm and hardware manufacturer Comark. The Mayor's Office of Technology and Innovation and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications make up the public agencies represented.

The Wi-Fi available through this network will be more than 100 times faster than average municipal internet speeds and 20 times quicker than average home internet in NYC. The press materials announcing the upcoming network claim that users will be capable of downloading a two-hour high-definition movie in as little as 30 seconds.

Construction of this LinkNYC network will begin in 2015 and the first wave of the structures should be operational by the end of next year. According to the press materials, New York is planning to install around 10,000 Links across the five boroughs.

Each Link appears to be a kiosk built on an existing telephone booth location and designed to service as a connection point to the wireless network with other interactive and promotional displays. The locations will also have charging stations, built-in maps and free emergency and informational calling capabilities. For security features, the Wi-Fi service will offer one of the first encrypted municipal systems.

The LinkNYC program is also expected to create 100 to 150 new full-time jobs between manufacturing, advertising and technology with another 650 supporting jobs according to a statement. CityBridge said the major project will "helps span the divide between people of various physical, technical and financial abilities to connect all New Yorkers to the opportunities that Internet access affords."