EVERETT – Citywide wireless Internet could launch in Everett within months.

Maverick Wireless, a company based in Anacortes, wants to make Everett the first city to boast Wi-Fi that company founder and president David Schmelke said is “far faster, far more reliable, far more secure with far better coverage” than what is offered by other wireless providers.

Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi, refers to wireless Internet. With Wi-Fi, a wireless-enabled computer can connect to the Internet when near a wireless access point, also called a “hot spot.” Everett officials hope Maverick Wireless will cover the city with access points within the year. Maverick is negotiating to rent space on utility poles for wireless hardware.

That means residents with wireless-enabled computers could use the Internet anywhere in the city. Teenagers could check their e-mail in Grand Avenue Park on a sunny afternoon. Drivers could search for maps and directions from parking lots. Residents in every home would have Internet access.

Maverick is negotiating with the Snohomish County Public Utilities District to rent space on utility poles for wireless hardware. The routers will measure about 12 inches by 8 inches, Parker said.

If all goes well with the PUD, Maverick could have the first phases of wireless service operating within months.

“We want to do everything we can to support the request,” said Lynn Parker, project manager for wireless facilities at the PUD.

Maverick would likely offer free wireless Internet for a limited period of time each day. Paid subscribers would get faster service, but those rates haven’t been released. Schmelke said it would be cheaper than DSL or cable.

Schmelke’s offer comes months after the Everett City Council first weighed its options for citywide Wi-Fi in January. Then, the council’s attentions were focused on MetroFi, a California-based company that became the first to cover a city, Sunnyvale, Calif., with free Wi-Fi access last December.

MetroFi drew Everett City Councilman Drew Nielsen’s interest at a National League of Cities conference last year.

Since then, MetroFi was awarded a contract to set up wireless service in Portland, Ore., a task Everett officials say has left their city low on the company’s priority list.

That left the door open for Schmelke to make a presentation before the city’s technology committee, led by Nielsen.

“We clarified early on that we are not talking about the city providing any service, so the city won’t be in competition with anyone,” Nielsen said. “This will be provided by private enterprise. The city’s just facilitating it.”

The majority of the city – Schmelke promises up to 99 percent – could have wireless by the end of the year, Nielsen said. Schmelke said his company would ultimately provide between 45 and 60 access points per square mile citywide.

Schmelke said his company would relocate to downtown Everett if the city becomes its first wireless project.

Maverick opened in 2003, but its staff has spent three years conducting tests on its own technology. So far, the company has been self-funded.

“We wanted to identify whether this technology could be used or sold in these environments, and whether Wi-Fi is really the technology for citywide wireless,” said Schmelke, a former T-Mobile employee. “The results indicated that this is the right technology, but it has to be done well.”

Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@ heraldnet.com.