Media release
iiNet to build Australia's largest free Wi-Fi network in Canberra
29 May 2014: iiNet today revealed that it has been selected by the nation's capital to build Australia's largest free Wi-Fi network, blanketing 12 business districts across Canberra, during the coming year.
In partnership with the ACT Government, iiNet will deploy more than 700 Cisco wireless access points throughout Canberra to create the public wireless network. The network will be free to use by anyone moving through the capital’s busiest commercial centres.
Speaking at the launch in Canberra, iiNet Chief Business Officer, Greg Bader, said that the free public wireless network was a globally significant project. "We believe that free Wi-Fi access is a critical part of the infrastructure of modern cities," he said.
"Increasingly, cities across the world are building public wireless networks, with the most successful providing simple and free access for anyone.
"This partnership combines the ACT Government's enduring vision of a connected Canberra, with iiNet's proven technical expertise, nationwide broadband network and award-winning service reputation.
"iiNet has shown its capabilities as Australia's leading provider of public wireless networks by deploying the AdelaideFree Wi-Fi network during the past nine months. Today, an average of 200,000 different people use AdelaideFree each month, while during peak periods we see as many as 5000 people connected at any one time."
As part of its partnership, iiNet will deploy more than 300 Cisco outdoor access points in high traffic areas. These access points will be connected to iiNet's fibre and VDSL2 broadband network, which runs beneath Canberra streets.
iiNet plans to complete the first stage of Canberra's free public Wi-Fi rollout, centred on Civic, by October this year. Remaining areas covering the commercial centres of Belconnen, Dickson, Woden, Tuggeranong, Bruce, Manuka-Kingston, Gungahlin, Weston Creek, along with the tourist precincts of Parkes, the foreshore and Commonwealth Park areas, will be finished by June 2015.
iiNet will further extend the public network by installing an additional 400 Cisco access points within businesses across the city, allowing seamless connection inside and out.
One of Canberra's first businesses to join the public Wi-Fi network is King O'Malley's Irish Pub, a local institution, located in Garema Place in the heart of Canberra City.
King O'Malley's managing director Peter Barclay said free wireless Internet access would be a boon for his business. "We're very excited about this initiative because it puts Canberra right at the cutting edge," he said.
"When I was in the US last year, I found free Wi-Fi everywhere, from galleries to cafes, which made keeping in touch and running my business very easy to do. I think this free Wi-Fi network will make life easy for people checking sites like Facebook and Instagram and doing business generally. It'll be great for everyone from residents and students to international visitors.
"We're pleased that it is iiNet providing this service, as we've been a happy iiNet customer for years."
For further information, please contact:
For further information, please contact:
Joseph Crews or Anthony Fisk
Communications - iiNet Group
Ph: +61 8 9214 2210 or media@staff.iinet.net.au
iiNet Wi-Fi
The iiNet Group is the leading provider of public Wi-Fi networks in Australia. We built the AdelaideFree Wi-Fi network, which provides free wireless network coverage over 90 per cent of the Adelaide CBD. We also offer free access through hundreds of wireless hotspots across every state and territory, including regional airports in QLD and NT, and cafés, restaurants and bars in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Finally, in our home city of Perth, we provide free Wi-Fi at Perth Airport's Terminal 2; the Perth Arena; and aboard a fleet of 100 London Taxis, which travel the streets of Perth every day.
About iiNet
iiNet is Australia’s second largest DSL Internet Service Provider and the leading challenger in the telecommunications market. Publicly listed on the ASX 200, this billion-dollar company has been recognised as a global leader in customer service, winning the Large Business award at the 2013 International Service Excellence Awards. We employ more than 2500 inquisitive staff across three countries - 80 per cent of whom are employed to directly service our 900,000 customers. We maintain our own broadband network and support over 1.7 million broadband, telephony and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services nationwide.
We're committed to making it simple for all Australians to connect across both our own network and on the NBN. Our vision is to lead the market with services that harness the potential of the Internet and then differentiate with award-winning customer service.
A full list of current awards can be viewed at iiNet Awards /about/awards