Modern Wi-Fi service needed for city
CAIRNS Regional Council has been urged to drag the city’s terrible free Wi-Fi system into the new decade.
The city’s free Wi-Fi system has slow download speeds unexpected in a global tourism metropolis.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce has made getting a fix for the sluggish technology its fourth most critical priority ahead of the local and state elections this year.
Chamber president Nick Loukas said what was currently on offer was pathetic.
“There is free Wi-Fi, but it’s not the free Wi-Fi that we’re talking about,” he said.
“It’s terrible. This will make it easier.”
A priorities document prepared for candidates states popular tourist destinations should strive to provide the best possible experience to visitors and locals alike.
It argues the council should relish the opportunity to provide free Wi-Fi for the valuable data it would provide – which would allow the city to tailor services and investment into areas of demand.
“In our ever-connected modern society the first priority on many visitors’ minds is where they can access a good Wi-Fi connection,” it says.
“This data can be utilised by Cairns Regional Council and tourism advocacy bodies to better understand the needs and desires of the people utilising the Wi-Fi, thereby improving the CBD experience for visitors and locals.
“If a large increase in searches for shuttle buses from Cairns CBD to Cairns Airport is trending among users, (the council will be) able to adapt bus services in this area.”