Sydney's Free Public Wi-Fi Plan Is Closer to Becoming a Reality

It has been three months since Sydney started stepping up its technology game, announcing it's looking to roll out free public Wi-Fi access in key areas across the inner city. And now, following on from the City of Sydney's draft digital strategy, the possible next step has been revealed: free Wi-Fi capabilities as part of a revamp of the city's street furniture.

For the past twenty years, public seats and outdoor advertising have mostly gone hand-in-hand, with out-of-home media company JCDecaux holding the contract to plaster ads and posters on Sydney's bus shelters. That arrangement is scheduled to end in 2018, and has been put up for tender, with the council seeking expressions of interest for not only street furniture, but also free public Wi-Fi services. The holy grail? Something that combines the two.

As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, the aim is to start rolling out new items by 2019, including Wi-Fi and digital bus shelter displays that can track real-time travel data. The city's benches, bins, kiosks and automatic public toilets would also undergo a revamp.

Overall, the plan aims to boost Sydney's digital future, promote it as a 'smart' city and meet technological expectations. The City of Sydney includes the CBD, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills, Pyrmont and Annandale right down to Erskineville and Rosebery.

While free Wi-Fi is available at libraries and community centres across the city, a larger-scale public network for the CBD has been flagged as a must — especially as the Inner West, Waverley and Parramatta councils are among those who have already implemented free access. Melbourne rolled out free Wi-Fi last year and Perth has had citywide access since 2013. In Brisbane, most CBD public spaces and parks also have access.

As the CoS's strategy states, the infrastructure will ensure visitors and people on low incomes have online access and improve people's general experience of the city, making it safer and easier to get around. It'll also "help Sydney to market itself as a networked community and leading global city."

Via The Sydney Morning Herald.

By Libby Curran and Sarah Ward.