Why Is Skype Giving Manhattan Free Wi-Fi for a Day?

For the second time this month, Skype is playing “Wi-Fi Clause”, as Gizmodo puts it. This time, it is creating a wireless hotspot in 16 neighborhoods in Manhattan.

From noon to noon from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, 2012, the following neighborhoods will be presented with complimentary Wi-Fi: Times Square, West Village, East Village, South Village, Greenwich Village, NoHo, SoHo, Lowe East Side, Clinton, Chelsea, Union Square, Midtown, Midtown South, Murray Hill, Stuyvesant Park and Turtle Bay.

Why is Skype doing this? Its blog has more:

New Year’s Eve is all about connecting with those who matter most to you. Skype is thrilled to once again help you maintain these meaningful connections as you ring in 2012. A Skype voice or video call with friends and family overseas or even across town is the next best thing to being there.

If you’re in the area and want to connect, just select the “Skype Wi-Fi” network. You must have the latest version of Skype installed on your Windows, Mac or iOS device to connect. But, as Gizmodo points out “there’s no guarantee that the network can handle the crush of millions of New Yorkers and/or tourists.”

Earlier this month, Skype made Wi-Fi available in airports for holiday travelers.

Learn more about connecting with Skype here.