CityLinkLA designed to make free Wi-Fi available for Angelenos

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- What was once a novelty is practically a necessity. The Internet reaches deep into our lives -- an information artery for our computers, phones, tablets and so much more -- but not everyone has access to the web.

"Information is no longer just a privilege, but it's a right for everybody," said Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Blumenfield.

That's why the city of Los Angeles wants to provide high-speed wireless Internet access to all Angelenos. It's called CityLinkLA, and supporters say it wouldn't just be fast, but free as well.

"Anybody in Los Angeles, whether you're a student, whether you're a tourist and you want to get online, you'll be able to. The city will have your back and you'll be able to get online," Blumenfield said.

But getting everyone online would cost the city an estimated $4 to $6 billion to build out the network. L.A. is hoping Internet companies will pick up that tab in exchange for the use of city-owned assets like communication fiber. But experts say free Internet access would come with a built-in set of concerns.

"Your data is floating through the air and somebody with the right equipment and knowledge could grab that data," said Kevin Haley, director of security for Symantec, a Culver City-based technology company.

If L.A. does provide free Internet access, Haley says users will have to take some precautions to make sure their information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

"First, you want to have good security software on your computer, number two, look for the little green lock, and that it says https and that means that it's encrypted so nobody else, even if they grab that data, can see it," he said.

Even though Internet access would be fast, the process of getting it isn't. Supporters say, even if things go as planned, the rollout of the Internet network would still take several years.