Danang’s Wi-Fi improves

DANANG : Danang is now officially Wi-Fi signal territory after a year-long trial, although officials says they still need to make the connection more convenient for tourists and locals by improving “smart urban infrastructure”.
The municipal Department of Information and Communication director, Pham Kim Son, said the service will continue to be free until the end of 2016 and then the city will charge users who want to improve their internet line quality, beyond the basic speed for email downloads.
With about 330 base transceiver stations, Wi-Fi access points have been installed on electricity poles in inner city and on public buildings at key locations across the city including universities, tourist sites, apartments and 29 state departments and agencies.
The Wi-Fi system has now improved considerably in terms of internet connection quality, broadband speed and access time, with Wi-Fi signals stronger and more widespread compared to the trial period.
Approximately 20,000 successful internet connections have been recorded per day via the city’s Wi-Fi system.
Time and bandwidth are not limited as users access the municipal web portal (www.danang.gov.vn) and tourist portal (www.danangtourism.gov.vn), as well as websites of the city’s departments, districts and online services.
“The launching of the Wi-Fi system will change how residents gain information, buy products and update themselves,” the director said.
The city-wide wireless network will enable residents and tourists to read newspapers online instead of buying printed versions. They can gain the latest information updates on tourist destinations, locate restaurants and use interactive maps. This is opening a new advertising channel that will ultimately reduce the value of print media in the tourist guide and information space.
“The move also exhibits Danang’s expectation to succeed in forming Vietnam’s first e-citizen generation,” he said.
Vietnam has introduced free Wi-Fi for visitors in Hoi An, Danang, Halong, Hue, Da Lat, Cat Ba, Tam Dao, and at Saigon Railway Station.
Over the next two years Quang Ninh province will provide more free Wi-Fi at economic and tourist hub cities such as Uong Bi, Cam Pha, Van Don and Mong Cai.

Sourced: ttrweekly