MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Western Cape’s public Wi-Fi network is adding on 250 new users a day as the service continues to expand.
The aim is to have a public hotspot in every ward across the province by the end of 2018. Mossel Bay already boasts several free Wi-Fi hotspots at a number of government buildings and schools and it is expected that all of the 12 hotspots earmarked for town will be live by the end of this month.
The project, which was launched in March last year, aims to bridge the connectivity divide. The MEC of Economic Opportunities, Minister Alan Winde, on Tuesday 7 February, briefed the media on the Western Cape government and Neotel’s public access Wi-Fi project.
Winde said: "Driven by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the project aims to have activated a hotspot in every ward across the province by 2018.
"We believe that the internet is a powerful tool in opening economic opportunities to all, and are striving to ensure that all residents have access close to home. The Western Cape government is working hard to bridge the gap to information and opportunities experienced by its poorest citizens."
"More than 70 000 devices have connected to the Wi-Fi hotspots since March last year. In total, more than 12TB of free and paid data has been utilised on the network since the launch.
"To make sure residents get the most out of this initiative, we’ve also offered a digital literacy course. We have [placed] Internet Champions in communities to assist with the roll-out of this course, with 250 000 residents completing it to date. We’re on an all-out drive to ensure the benefits of the digital age are extended to all the citizens of the Cape."
In Mossel Bay, residents can access the Wi-Fi hotspots at D'Almeida Library, Erika Primary school, Garden Route Primary school, Great Brak River Clinic, Hartenbos Library, Indwe Secondary School, the Mossel Bay Library, the Mossel Bay Provincial Traffic Department and the library at Sonskynvallei.
It is expected that the Ellen van Rensburg Library, Great Brak River Secondary school and the KwaNonqaba Library will go live by the end of this month.
Through the Neohotspots, residents receive 250MB of free data per month. In addition, the digital literacy course and all government websites, including career opportunity portals, are available megabyte-free.
Users can purchase additional Neotel data vouchers at R5 for one day (700MB), R15 for one week (2GB), and R45 for one month (5GB). These are among the cheapest rates for data in South Africa.
By the end of phase 1 in March this year, 150 hotspot sites will be connected. The final phase will be delivered by March 2018.
• Go to the NeoHotspot zone
• Go to device settings on your Wi-Fi enabled device.
• Turn on Wi-Fi.
• Search for Wi-Fi Networks.
• Select NeoHotspot.
• Click Connect.
• Start browsing!
For help to connect, contact 0860 636 835. For an up-to-date list and map of the NeoHotspots, visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/limited-free-public-wi-fi-western-cape.
ARTICLE: NICKEY LE ROUX, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER NEWS EDITOR
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