Cape Town - By June, 61 Cape Town buildings and numerous public access hot spots will have free wi-fi as part of the city’s R1.3-billion seven-year broadband network strategy.
The Bellville Clinic, Hillstar Administrative Building, Mitchells Plain Switching Centre, Nyanga Switching Centre, Plumstead Administrative Building, Robbie Nurock Clinic and Site B Youth Clinic in Khayelitsha are among the public facilities that will get free connectivity.
Each access point will cost between R60 000 and R100 000 to install.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said previously disadvantaged communities would have access to internet connectivity through a partnership between the city and three commercial service providers.
MWeb has agreed to provide an uncapped data bundle for a trial period while Internet Solutions will offer a free daily 50MB data bundle.
De Lille said Paris-based Orange would offer a free 200MB daily data bundle.
“The city is pleased to partner with these service providers in furthering our digital inclusion strategy and stimulating economic development in less advantaged areas.”
The city is also working on a pilot project that could see MyCiTi passengers being able to access free on-board wi-fi.
De Lille said the city’s telecommunications department installed access point receivers on city buildings and custom-built poles to create wi-fi zones in four areas of Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain – Stocks & Stocks, Harare, Site C and Lentegeur.
Although the initial plan was to create a wireless network that would provide wi-fi to each home, the telecommunications team realised this would require the installation of connectivity boosters for each house.
“The public wi-fi project demonstrates that the city’s fibre-optic network has reached the point where it is robust and extensive enough to be leveraged off by the private sector, and can significantly benefit those areas poorly served with broadband connectivity.”
Cape Argus