CITY WiFi ON THE FAST TRACK

Good news for those of us who can’t live without being connected 24/7 (and let’s face it – that’s most of us). The City of Cape Town is finalising its plan to roll out subsidised WiFi across the metro.

This after a successful six-month trial project in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, and a feasibility study completed in collaboration with the US Trade and Development Agency.

‘The City will seek partnerships with the private sector to ensure that an affordable internet service, which may include a free portion, is provided,’ said mayoral committee member for corporate services Xanthea Limberg. Municipal sites will be connected to the city’s network, and from there public WiFi will be available. More than 80 municipal buildings have already been connected via broadband since the project started in 2012.

‘Access to the internet provides access to opportunities,’ said ANC caucus leader in the city council Tony Ehrenreich, who believes the project should be fast-tracked.

At the same time, two free WiFi services went live in Roberston and Atlantis at the end of August as a result of the work being done by Project Isizwe, a non-profit organisation facilitating the roll-out of free WiFi to public spaces in low-income communities. These two spots are part of a bigger R1.3 billion project to connect all residents of the Western Cape to the internet.