Free wi-fi solves Civil Defence internet problem
A free public wi-fi network launched in Temuka has also solved internet access problems for the town’s Civil Defence.
From yesterday, anyone in the central part of King St and around the Alpine Energy Community Centre in the Temuka Domain can access 500 megabytes of fast, free wi-fi every day.
In July, the town’s Civil Defence (CD) controller Charles Scarbrook asked the Timaru District Council to consider wireless internet for the community centre after it was revealed an internet connection was not available following its shift from the library to larger, more suitable premises.
The council’s venture with Timarubased internet provider Vetta Online has made high-speed internet access available to the CD team in times of emergency via the council’s own network.
The council’s chief information officer, Justin Bagust, said the council had been working for some time to bring connectivity to the town.
‘‘We have had free wi-fi within and directly adjacent to the Temuka Library for years now but the next logical step was extending this service throughout Temuka’s major public spaces.
‘‘More and more of what we do on a daily basis is online and for many people burning through their mobile data allowance is a reality.’’
Bagust added that Timaru was now ‘‘one of the best connected districts in the country’’, and next on the list was Pleasant Point.
Users can access the free wi-fi by choosing Vetta Free Wi-fi on their device.