Thirty three ICTA-initiated free WiFi zones for travelling public
08 Jun 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The government’s free WiFi programme made a significant mark with the setting up free Wifi zones recently benefitting the travelling public, says the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA).
Currently totaling 33, these free Wifi zones particularly meant for bus and rail travelers have been set up in the main bus stands and railway stations spread throughout the country. The next free WiFi zone for the benefit of the travelling public will be set up at the Tissamaharama bus stand, ICTA sources said.
Placing the setting up of free WiFi zones for the benefit of the travelling public in its perspective,ICTA Managing Director/CEO Muhunthan Canagey said: “Setting up of these free WiFi zones in the travellers’ milieu is being carried out under the programme of setting up 1000 free Wifi zones island-wide. People will benefit greatly as a result of these free WiFi zones set up in the main bus stands and railway stations. Most of the travelling public gather in these locations and are helped much by having access to means of fulfilling their communication needs including the internet”.
Under the guidance of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, ICTA carries out the task of setting up free WiFi zones island-wide for the benefit of the people. The areas chosen for setting up the free Wifi zones include hospitals, trade centres, public libraries, museums, government offices, district secretariats, state universities and professional education institutions. In the overall programme of bringing the free WiFi facility to as many as possible, ICTA has the full co-operation of local broadband and telecommunication service providers.
The total number of free Wifi zones thus set up in public locations for the benefit of the people under this Government programme implemented by ICTA now stands at 107. Information about the public locations where these free Wifi zones have been set up as well as other relevant information including registration for availing oneself of this free WiFi facility could be obtained by accessing the website www.freewifi.lk. In the alternative users could call the Government Information Centre using telephone number 1919.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe officially launched this free WiFI facility at the Colombo Fort railway station in March this year. With that inauguration Sri Lanka became one of the first countries in South Asia to take such an initiative and to deploy it in such a short time.
ICTA is the apex government body that directs the national ICT policy. It is responsible for implementing the e-Sri Lanka initiative.
