Melbourne Launches A Free Wi-Fi Network

Today Victorian Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis announced that Melbourne would be launching a free wi-fi network across the CBD.

Apparently it’s “unparalleled” and “world class”.

It’s part of the Labor Government’s $11 million Victorian Free Wi-Fi Pilot and there are access points within at all CBD train stations, Bourke St Mall, Queen Victoria Market, and South Wharf Promenade at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“This is just another reason why Victoria is the country’s home of innovation and technology,” said Philip Dalidakis, “we really do have the best of everything, not only in Melbourne but our regional cities as well.”

First the coffee, now this.

Sydney aborted a similar trial back in 2008 due to high costs, but it’ll be interesting to see just how functional the service is. The timing of the launch is deliberate. The AFL Grand Final long weekend kicks off tomorrow and brings with it an influx of people from all over Australia. Hopefully the service will hold up under the stress, but in my experience free Wi-Fi in cities is temperamental at best.

Hopefully this service will buck the trend.


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