Connecting the Coast: How Visit Port Aransas Brought Free Wi-Fi to the Beach

By: Kyle Huff

| Updated May 21, 2025

Learn how the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce turned a modern infrastructure challenge into a new community asset that strengthens both the visitor experience and everyday life.

When limited cell service began creating challenges for those living, working, and vacationing on Mustang Island, the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce stepped up with a digital infrastructure initiative to better connect the community — starting with free public Wi-Fi.

A Modern Tourism Challenge

Known for its vibrant coastal charm and strong repeat visitation, Port Aransas thrives on tourism. But as more travelers rely on smartphones for everything from navigation to restaurant reservations, the town’s cellular infrastructure — especially during high-traffic weekends or holidays — occasionally struggled to keep up.

“It’s one of the top complaints we hear,” said Melinda Compton, Marketing & Communications Director for the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce. “Visitors love it here, but the second their phone stops working, that love gets tested.”

Rather than waiting on traditional telecom providers to respond, the destination organization took the lead. The Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce first launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to better understand long-term community needs. That process engaged more than 400 people across the community, including over 60 individual interviews with residents, business owners, and city stakeholders.

“We found that connectivity was a huge issue not just for tourists but for locals trying to work remotely, for businesses, and even for emergency services,” noted Compton.

That insight led to the commissioning of a broadband study, conducted by Connected Nation, to more precisely assess the scope and geography of the challenge. The results gave the Tourism Bureau and its partners a data-backed path forward for improving digital access across the island.

Building a Connection — Literally

That solution came through an innovative partnership with Brightspeed, a regional internet provider. Together with the City of Port Aransas, the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce launched a free public Wi-Fi pilot program, which was a first for both organizations.

The pilot launched with two access points in areas identified as high priority due to heavy foot traffic and inconsistent signal strength: along the beach from Avenue G to Horace Caldwell Pier and in the Old Town district near Cotter Avenue and Alister Street.

The goal was simple: offer fast, free, and public Wi-Fi that could ease the burden on cellular networks and improve digital access across popular areas. The network, branded “PortAransas-Free-Public-Wifi,” allows for easy access and reconnects users automatically when they return to a coverage zone.

A New Kind of Visitor Service

While still in its early stages, the Wi-Fi program is already addressing longstanding challenges. Designed to relieve pressure on local broadband and cellular networks, the new access points are helping create a more reliable digital experience across key parts of the city. The Tourism Bureau sees the initiative as part of a broader commitment to enhancing both the visitor experience and the day-to-day quality of life for residents.

“This isn’t just about convenience,” said Compton. “It’s about making sure Port Aransas remains a place people love to visit — and love to live in.”

It’s about making sure Port Aransas remains a place people love to visit — and love to live in.

Melinda ComptonMarketing & Communications Director, Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce

Expanding Digital Access, Expanding Possibilities

As of spring 2025, the public Wi-Fi program remains in its pilot phase. The Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce is closely monitoring performance and gathering user feedback throughout the peak tourism season to evaluate long-term viability. If successful, the pilot could pave the way for additional access across the island’s walkable downtown and sandy shoreline.

In the meantime, the initiative already reflects a broader shift in how destination organizations can contribute to community infrastructure. What began as a creative response to a digital challenge now stands as a model for how tourism leadership can help strengthen the places people live, work, and visit.

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Author

Kyle Huff

Director of Growth Marketing, Tempest

Kyle Huff is Tempest’s Director of Growth Marketing, where he oversees the company’s efforts to enhance the visibility, engagement, and growth of destination partners through forward-thinking SEO, creative storytelling, and performance marketing techniques. Before joining Tempest, Kyle served as the Content Manager for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he promoted the city of Philadelphia to a global audience of meeting professionals, event planners, and international visitors.

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