Now 33 ICTA-initiated free Wi-Fi zones in operation

Saturday, 30 May 2015 01:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government’s free Wi-Fi program made a significant mark with the setting up of free Wi-Fi zones recently benefitting the travelling public, said the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA).

Currently totaling 33, these free Wi-Fi zones particularly meant for bus and rail travellers have been set up in the main bus stands and railway stations spread throughout the country.

Placing the setting up of free Wi-Fi zones for the benefit of the travelling public in its perspective, ICTA Managing Director/CEO Muhunthan Canagey said: “Setting up of these free Wi-Fi zones in the travellers’ milieu is being carried out under the program of setting up 1,000 free Wi-Fi zones island-wide. People will benefit greatly as a result of these free Wi-Fi 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 Wi-Fi zones island-wide for the benefit of the people. The areas chosen for setting up the free Wi-Fi zones include hospitals, trade centres, public libraries, museums, Government offices, district secretariats, State universities and professional education institutions. In the overall program of bringing the free Wi-Fi facility to as many as possible, ICTA has the full cooperation of local broadband and telecommunication service providers.

The total number of free Wi-Fi zones thus set up in public locations for the benefit of the people under this Government program implemented by ICTA now stands at 107. Information about the public locations where these free Wi-Fi zones have been set up as well as other relevant information including registration for availing oneself of this free Wi-Fi 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 Wi-Fi 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.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka is the only apex ICT institution of the Government that directs the national IT policy. A fully-fledged Government Institution, ICTA implements the e-Sri Lanka initiative.