Australia’s most advanced free public Wi-Fi network recently launched in Melbourne, delivering world-class Internet access to users across all Melbourne CBD train stations, as well as Queen Victoria Market, the Bourke St Mall, and South Wharf Promenade at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
VicFreeWiFi is the largest network of its kind in Australia, and one of the most advanced in the world, on par with similar networks in London, New York and San Francisco. It offers up to 250 MB per connected device per day, with no intrusive advertising and no requirement to enter personal login information.
The infrastructure is to be managed by Australian telecoms company TPG for the next five years. TPG assumed responsibility for the project after acquiring the original provider, iiNet, in 2015.
The $11 million pilot is also available in the regional cities of Ballarat and Bendigo, with additional access points to be activated over the coming year. Once complete, the network will span 600,000 square metres across the three cities.
The advanced network will also be used to pilot future connected city projects, as well as being available for disaster response in the case of an emergency.
In a recent tweet, clearly directed towards his NSW counterpart, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his capital city now offers “24-hour public transport. 24-hour night-life. And now: 24-hour free Wi-Fi”.
An interactive map identifying all operational access points is available at https://www.vic.gov.au/wifi/find.html
