Coffee Banc Review

Contributed by Chris Daniel

August 22, 2005

Hotspot Vitals:
SSID: CoffeeBanc
Free Spot: Yes
Network Type: G
Power: Yes
Speed Test dn/up (kbps): 522/134
Location: 71st (Kenosha) and 161st (Elm) in Broken Arrow, near Rhema Bible Church
Website: none

Coffee Banc is owned and operated by Rhema Bible Church; because it is run by the church, they close down for Rhema’s regular services on Wednesday night and Sunday morning and evening. It was the closest coffee shop to me when I lived in Broken Arrow, so I was a frequent customer. I found it by their prominent “free wireless internet access” sign out front. It is located on 71st, just west of Elm (aka 161st), on the south side of the street. It actually used to be a bank, so it has a vault in which you can sit, although I can’t guarantee the quality of the wifi signal in there.

They have a connection through Rhema’s network, I believe, and it is sufficiently quick, but I have seen better; my speed test was done on a relatively slow Monday morning. Power outlets are available by many tables that are along the wall, but if you have more than one person with a laptop, you may have to unplug a lamp.

The decor of the coffee shop is pretty typical, but nice. Seating is not as comfortable as some coffee shops I have seen, as there are no couches. They have live music sometimes, on weekends usually; it mostly consists of Christian bands. Frequent customers include a lot of people from the church and Rhema Bible College students. The hot chocolate there is amazing, and cheap; most drinks there are pretty inexpensive compared to other shops to which I have been around Tulsa. Overall, Coffee Banc is a great shop, with decent wifi service. I recommend.

* Apparently, they have recently switched networks to Cox, so their speed should be faster now