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CAPE TOWN – More than 6 million Western Cape residents will benefit from the government's plan to expand public wifi service, designed to create jobs for up to 60 people a month.
The Western Cape Government announced yesterday the creation of a partnership with Liquid Telecommunications SA (LTSA) in Cape Town, which will further enhance this benefit by raising to 1,600 the number of Wi-Fi access points free public spaces in public buildings.
Prime Minister Helen Zille said the project was part of a plan to develop broadband connectivity in libraries, schools, clinics and government offices in Western Cape and contribute to the position of the region as a global digital hub.
Starting in December, the new extended public Wi-Fi network will be available in all municipalities and will now benefit from a 3GB increase in data per device per month, at a speed five times faster than the current service.
Zille said households in western Cape Town already had the highest Internet access rate in the country, with 70.8%, according to StatsSA 2018.
She said most people and communities in rural and remote areas used the mobile phone to keep in touch and carry on their business.
"As mobile broadband costs are still very high for many citizens, public Wi-Fi networks offer citizens an opportunity to connect not only to each other, but also to employment and creative opportunities. of companies, "said Zille.
Reshaad Sha, Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Telecom SA, said the announcement yesterday was in line with Liquid Telecom's vision of "Building Africa's Digital Future" providing individuals and communities with high-speed Internet access. in cities and villages.
"Our partnership with the Western Cape government is central to this vision, giving every South African the right to be connected to a free, reliable and fast Internet," Sha said.
According to Zille, government websites will also remain permanently free for users and the cheapest wifi coupons in the country for additional data on the network are also available at some retailers.
She clarified that each of the Wi-Fi public access points will allow users with Wi-Fi enabled devices, including cell phones, tablets, laptops and desktops, to connect to the point of access. 39; Wi-Fi access without username or pbadword. These access points will be installed over the next three years. for a total of five years.
"We also know that the way young people interact, engage and learn is changing, and we understand the importance of connectivity to create opportunities and open a world of knowledge for people of all ages." .
"Broadband Game Changer of the Western Cape Government aims to create a region in which every inhabitant of every city and village has access to affordable infrastructure and broadband services, has the skills to use it and actively does it. daily. day lives, "said Zille.
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