O'ahu residents with computers ready for wireless Internet service don't have to pay to reach the city's Web site when they're in "hot spots" around the island, under an arrangement announced by Mayor Mufi Hannemann and officials of Skywave Broadband LLC.

Computer users typically pay a wireless broadband provider, such as Skywave, to gain access to the Internet. Under the pilot project with the city, Skywave now allows all computer users to get onto the city's Web site, www.honolulu.gov, regardless of whether they pay to use Skywave's service.

Hannemann said this will make it easier to renew vehicle registration and conduct other business with the city online.

Skywave is available in a variety of access points, known as "hot spots," including much of Waikiki, downtown Honolulu and test sites at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale. The list of available areas will grow over the next two years, said Joshua Beil, Skywave founder and vice president of business development. The free service started in September.

Gordon Bruce, the city's director of information technology, said the agreement with Skywave is not exclusive and that other Internet providers have also expressed interest in providing free access to the city's Web site.