The Western Cape is expanding on its ability to bridge the information gap between its wealthier and poorer citizens through the rollout of its public Wi-Fi network.

The network, which was launched in March last year, sees an average increase of 250 users a day.

The province’s Economic Opportunities MEC, Alan Winde, said that the Western Cape government is working hard to bridge the information gap in order to offer its poorest citizens more opportunities which can be accessed through the Internet.

“We believe that the internet is a powerful tool in opening economic opportunities to all, and are striving to ensure that all residents have access close to home,” Winde said.

Logistics

The project aims to activate a hotspot in every ward across the province by 2018.

“To make sure residents get the most out of this initiative, we’ve also offered a digital literacy course,” Winde said. “Internet Champions” have been placed in communities to assist with the roll out of this course, and to date, 250,000 residents have completed it.

Via the hotspots, residents receive 250MB free data per month. In addition, the digital literacy course and all government websites, including career opportunity portals, are available megabyte-free.

Data from the project shows that residents are accessing educational, employment, transactional and government information.

Broadband initiative

This initiative is undertaken by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and is part of the Western Cape’s broadband initiative.

After the 2016 municipal elections the number of wards increased from 384 to 402.  According to Winde, the project responded to these changes.

When the Wi-Fi hotspots were first made available, more than 70,000 devices connected around the province. “In total, more than 12TB of free and paid data has been utilised on the network since launch,” Winde said.

“We’re on an all-out drive to ensure that the benefits of the digital age are extended to all the citizens of the Cape,” he added.

Phase one of the rollout will be completed in March this year. By then, a total of 150 hotspot sites will be connected around the province.

Winde said the final phase of the project will be delivered by March 2018.