Wellington will be the first New Zealand city to provide a
free wireless internet service across most of its central
city.
The initiative was announced today by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown
and will be available in time for the Rugby World Cup.
Coverage would extend from Waitangi Park and Courtenay Place
along the 'golden mile' to Westpac Stadium and up Cuba
Street.
The service would eventually be extended to other busy
locations such as the Zoo, Zealandia, the Cable Car and
Carter Observatory, as well as main libraries, Ms Wade-Brown
said.
"It's great that the system will be in place for the World
Cup -- there'll be thousands of people visiting the Capital
from the northern hemisphere who'll enjoy being able to get
free wi-fi here."
Some of the costs would be offset by sponsorship, but the
council will fund the free network at a cost of $80,000 and
then $216,000 per year. When it is up and running, users will
be disconnected after half an hour and can then reconnect.
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