Free internet (courtesy of the taxpayer)
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:22 am
Canberra is set to host Australia’s largest free outdoor wireless internet network for public use.
ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher used her annual State of the Territory address on Thursday to launch a $4.4 million digital action plan for Canberra, including roll out of the wi-fi network in the CBD from the second half of 2014.
It comes as the ACT government seeks to “transition Canberra to a modern digital city”.
Ms Gallagher told a business lunch at the National Gallery of Australia that free wi-fi networks would also be rolled out in other town centres and commercial precincts in the ACT.
“Once complete, the territory’s network will be the largest free outdoor public network in Australia,” she said.
“While not a service for business directly, it will create yet another incentive to be active online and engage with fast-growing digital media channels.
Under the plan, Civic’s Garema Place will be developed as a centre of digital innovation with a new dedicated digital space and digital screen.
A new digital and innovation service centre will also be developed to provide “incubation” for digital ideas.
“[Garema Place] will create a new forum for the meeting of creative minds and creative digital ideas in the city,” Ms Gallagher said.