Peak Internet is testing a new wireless Internet system using Albany city buildings.

The Corvallis-based Internet service provider has wireless equipment at Albany City Hall, Albany Fire Station 11 at the corner of Sixth and Lyon, and the Main Library on 14th Avenue S.E.

Michael Laport, marketing director for Peak, said the equipment is part of a project in its pilot stages. He declined to say more because of an agreement Peak has with the city.

Jorge Salinas, information and technology director for the city, said Peak approached the city with the need to test the new equipment.

“They needed some buildings to test their performance and reliability,” Salinas said. “So we went through the process to see if it could be done.”

Salinas said the buildings are wireless “hot spots” for anyone with a laptop while Peak tests the equipment. He said the testing will continue through August.

Wireless Internet systems allow people to access the Internet through radio signals. Wireless spots around Albany, aside from the city buildings, include Boccherini’s Coffee and Tea House in downtown Albany, the Lakeshore Lanes bowling center in south Albany and several of the hotels near the Linn County Fair & Expo Center.

Peak built a wireless Internet system for the city of Lebanon, which Lebanon decided to offer to residents in 2006. At that same time, Albany city officials said the city was not considering providing such a service.

Salinas said the issue hasn’t come back to the Albany council since then. He said City Manager Wes Hare and City Attorney Jim Delapoer approved the use of the city buildings for this pilot project.

He expects testing to be done by the end of August. After that, he might present the findings to the council.

Ian Rollins can be reached at ian.rollins@lee.net or 812-6077.