Plans to trial a free wireless internet service have been approved by the Dunedin City Council.
Councillors at yesterday's full council meeting voted to accept a recommendation to trial the wireless (Wi-Fi) internet initiative, which came from a meeting of the council's economic development committee last month.
The trial would see a Wi-Fi network installed in the Octagon for 12 months, providing free internet access for anyone with laptop computers or other internet-capable mobile devices.
It was expected to cost $8500 to establish the network, and $700 a month to run, although it was possible a successful trial could see the coverage extended along George, Princes and lower Stuart Sts, and other parts of the city.
Concerns the council could be legally liable for illegal behaviour of users would be among issues discussed at the next meeting of the council's digital communications strategy group.
