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Thousand public locations to get free Wi-Fi

4 March 2015 08:12 pm - 24     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Information and Communications Technology Agency (ICTA), which implements the government’s ICT policies, will be launching the ‘Free Wi-Fi’ project in partnership with all telecommunication operators, in the coming months, to let citizens have further accessibility to information and participate in e-governance.

“Thousand public locations will get Wi-Fi free of charge. This has been finalized. It is not a plan or a promise, because some said it is not economically possible or it was a ploy to get young votes,” Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ajith Perera, under whom the ICT sector falls, said.

He noted that access to information is no longer a luxury but a critical need, similar to access to water, electricity and telephones used by youngsters in rural villages up to top corporates.

“This will open up new employment opportunities and new markets may appear,” Perera said.

ICTA CEO Muhunthan Canagey said that the citizens would be able to vote on the e-government and ICT initiatives being developed by the ICTA and allow them to engage with the government on policy planning.

“This is the first time the public has been going to be able to engage in policymaking with the government and be closer to the government.”

The access points would be fixed at locations of importance, such as universities, public parks, libraries and highly frequented railway stations and bus stops.
“We are going to implement at 250 locations within the 100-day programme and the rest to follow within two to three months. But our dreams go beyond these 1,000. We want free Wi-Fi to be available everywhere in the country,” Perera said.

Recently, Sri Lankan-born Silicon Valley technologist Chamath Palihapitiya called on President Maithripala Sirisena pitching a concept of low orbiting geo synchronized satellites to provide free islandwide Internet access, capitalizing on Sri Lanka’s location close to the equator. The president had given his blessing to explore the opportunities. (Chandeepa Wettasinghe)



Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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  Comments - 24

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Desmond Jeromme Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:28 AM

    Is Ranil having close secret links with MR? Why the actions against corrupted UPFA ministers are covered up?

    GaluKumari Friday, 06 March 2015 06:28 PM

    Hi Fi Lapai Sipai via DM Android App

    waruna chameera Friday, 06 March 2015 10:44 AM

    What we do in 100MB. not enough this quota

    keerththanan Friday, 06 March 2015 07:30 AM

    Really goodBut how about the usage limit and speed?differently it could be very low!

    Cobra Friday, 06 March 2015 06:54 AM

    Good idea but more importantly please scrap those taxes upon taxes levied on our telephone bills. Our monthly bills show the total taxes levied rubbing shoulders with the cost of our calls. Kathai hondey!

    Mirosaan Thursday, 05 March 2015 12:00 PM

    It is really a good news. Our family in Sri Lanka can be in touch always...

    Truth Thursday, 05 March 2015 10:55 AM

    The question is ,is this what srilanka really need at the moment?.Thousands protested against the previous president and government regarding the high cost of essentials and the high cost of living and medical facilities and voted for a change is this really the change the people seeked for ...there are thousand of srilankans not being able to have three meals a day and this is what the new government has provided to eat the wifi signals and fill up there hunger.People voted to change for the hunger but now whats happening

    Stunned Citizen Thursday, 05 March 2015 10:53 AM

    We should be proud as well as happy cos not many countries in the world can boast of free wifi....this will indeed spark innovation to propel our ICT into new domains....

    Love business Thursday, 05 March 2015 10:46 AM

    So doing this way we can do more love business for men and women...wow.....traffic jam will increase on the places when everyone use and fingering touch phones

    Nandun Thursday, 05 March 2015 10:18 AM

    Great

    Horri Jimonis Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:31 AM

    Well done, everything is OK, but the people wants is to arrest the Political criminals - Weerawansa, Duminda.

    Hi-Fi Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:28 AM

    Great move hope you put your words into actions. via DM Android App

    Thilanga Thursday, 05 March 2015 01:52 AM

    What else we need????

    Vijith Pieterz Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:27 AM

    As you did this, pls. advice RW to arrange immediate arrest of Weerawansa, Mahinananda

    Bubble Banda Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:26 AM

    Really appreciated, you are the only Minister predicts the future of the younger generation.

    Kiris Baba Amaray Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:24 AM

    Good more Sir, keep it up. How about arresting former UPFA corrupted Ministers.

    LogicalCitizen Thursday, 05 March 2015 09:09 AM

    Why ICTA, SLT, Mobitel come under Foreign Ministry? What is the rational? To please a request by Mangala S?

    DD Thursday, 05 March 2015 07:48 AM

    Happy to here the good news.All the best.

    suresh Thursday, 05 March 2015 07:39 AM

    Good work, but focus more on the criminals still at large

    teki Thursday, 05 March 2015 07:31 AM

    woweeee via DM Android App

    Mohammed Huzair Thursday, 05 March 2015 07:29 AM

    This is great news. This is a long felt need of the country. Well done MY 3

    Don Thursday, 05 March 2015 07:25 AM

    Good move Sri Lanka and bye bye Dialog.

    mohan Thursday, 05 March 2015 06:36 AM

    i hope all the Adult content are blocked on Free WIFI :)

    Wijesekara Thursday, 05 March 2015 04:55 AM

    Excellent news. Great for tourism, innovation and business. Make sure greater accessibility in rural areas including the nothern and eastern provinces so everyone has equal opportunities.


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Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

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