Spreading the Web
This should be an election issue, especially in under-served areas — and promises have been made
Can free public Wi-Fi access become an election issue? It should. Voters should be aware of how political parties intend to expand access to the Internet, especially in under-served communities.
The roll-out of public Wi-Fi networks is gaining traction, and communities have begun to expect that their newly elected councillors will keep their promises regarding free Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi is a short-range wireless network. It is already offered in public places such as restaurants, shopping malls and hotels, sometimes for a fee. The rise in the adoption of smartphones has resulted in a spike in data usage, and the demand for fast and reliable broadband networks has soared.
Wi-Fi is increasingly offered in places as divergent as malls, schools, taxis, and buses.
During the campaign for local government elections, political parties promised to provide free Wi-Fi.
A study released this month by BMI-TechKnowledge has found that most metros in SA already offer free broadband Internet access through Wi-Fi hotspots.
“There are around 2,100 public hotspots, of which nearly 80% are in Gauteng,” says BMI-T director Tim Parle, author of the report.
Tshwane has the single largest network for a metro in SA and has complemented this with other value-added services. Its service has been branded TshWi-Fi.
Parle expects more municipalities to promote access to free public Wi-Fi.
In June, the City of Cape Town announced its partnership with VAST Networks to deploy Wi-Fi to all MyCiTi buses. Nelson Mandela Bay also launched its free public Wi-Fi in April.
Through these public hotspots, consumers are given a free data allowance of between 50 MB/day and 500 MB/month. But topup options — which are paid for — are also available. This may help municipalities recover some of the costs.
Telecommunications & postal services minister Siyabonga Cwele said in his May budget vote that most people use free Wi-Fi for educational content, job opportunities, small