Unbelievable! :-( Melbourne CBD to trial free Wi-Fi Hannah Francis13 Mar, 10:28 AM Technology Workers, residents and visitors in Melbournes CBD will soon be able to enjoy Wi-Fi free of charge after Premier Denis Napthine announced the Victorian government was seeking expressions of interest to provide the service. Announcing the initiative alongside state technology minister Gordon Rich-Phillips and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Mr Napthine said the joint project with the City of Melbourne and the private would pilot fast, reliable and free Wi-Fi services in central Melbourne, including in public areas and buildings, public transport hubs and tourist attractions. We are encouraging innovative expressions of interest that will ensure a reliable, sustainable free service that is also filtered for prohibited and undesirable content, Mr Napthine said. All responses will be assessed on their commercial viability with strong preference given to proposals where there is no ongoing cost to government, beyond any potential initial investment to establish the infrastructure. The government expects to award contracts mid-year, with the pilot running for between three and five years. Mr Napthine said government investment in the trials may potentially include grants or in-kind contributions such as advertising, sponsorship and priority access to government infrastructure and facilities. Mr Rich-Phillips said the expressions of interest would help the government better understand the supplier market and forge a successful business model as it planned the rollout of further Wi-Fi networks across the state. The Public Wi-Fi initiative will support small businesses, improve the tourism experience, assist our education sector, and further strengthen Victoria as Australia’s leading technology state, Mr Rich-Phillips said. The provision of free Wi-Fi at Flinders Street Station has been a success and we are looking to provide this amenity more broadly. Expressions of interest are open from today until April 17.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 10:23:41 +0000
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