A trial of the service began in November when a six-month $100,000 pilot program in Hobart's waterfront area was switched on.
It will allow people in the precinct to access wi-fi internet for free on their laptops or portable internet devices such as Blackberries or iPods. Usage will be capped and once the free limit is reached the user will be prompted to pay.
The scheme is being managed by the State Government and the Tasmanian Electronic Commerce Centre. Tasmania will be one of only a handful of locations in the world to implement the wireless revolution in this way. The area is considered and ideal place for this to be happening first because it has such a diverse mix of people in the tourism industry, traditional industries, creative industries as well as government public servants who can access the internet anywhere on the waterfront.
The log-in screen will feature tourist information and other advertising targeting travellers. People can check what is happening in museums or view restaurant menus online - and then book a table.
(Themercury.com, November 2008)
