Just in time for play-by-play tweets concerning the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Auckand has instituted a completely-integrated WiFi network across its Link public transit system. In step with officials, buses and a few trains gets the free internet treatment , giving passengers as much as three 30 minute sessions an afternoon between September 1 and October 31st. Powered by Tomizone and sponsored by Localist, the network promises 2 – 6Mbps downloads and relies on point-to-point links around town using fiber assets for backhaul . If that wasn’t enough connectivity, CallPlus and Slingshot are dispensing some gratis WiFi in their own with an extra thousand hotspots sprinkled during the city. Hopefully, the added infrastructure will mean WiFi access par excellence year round for max non-Rugby related tweetage. Take a look at the overall PR after the break.
[Thanks, Scott]
The world’s first fully integrated metropolitan Wi-Fi system including free roaming Wi-Fi access around the central city and on public transport has gone live in Auckland.
Town Wi-Fi network extends across all Link buses and a few trains, with the announcement that Auckland Transport has joined the network with Auckland Council and Wi-Fi supplier Tomizone.
Internet at the Auckland Wi-Fi network, provided free to users because of sponsorship from Localist, has already seen strong support from Aucklanders and visitors with heavy usage inside the first week of operation.
“This can be a global blueprint for the way a sustainable Wi-Fi network can benefit residents and visitors – even while travelling on public transport,” says Len Brown. “I’m encouraged by the variety of people already using a network built by Aucklanders in under six weeks in time for Rugby World Cup.”
The Wi-Fi service is offered on all new Link buses and selected trains. Over the years, Aucklanders can expect to look the service expanding around the transport system and around the city.
“Having the ability to access the net via this new Wi-Fi service means our customers and our visitors to town could make more practical use in their commute time”, says Mark Lambert, Auckland Transport’s Public Transport Operations Manager.
“Auckland Transport will evaluate the success of the Wi-Fi service sooner than making it more widely available around the public transport network.”, Says Mr Lambert.
“Auckland is now home to the appropriate integrated Wi-Fi network across a city anywhere on the planet and it’s something our team are very proud to have delivered in the sort of few minutes,” says Tomizone Executive Director Steve Simms.
6th September 2011
CallPlus and Slingshot this week announced that they’re providing a free WiFi service to the town of Auckland all through the Rugby World Cup.
As CallPlus CEO Mark Callander says, “it’s our contribution to the town of Auckland. We wish to help showcase Auckland as a great spot to do business by making it quick and straightforward to get connected. It takes only one click to exploit our free service and it doesn’t require tokens, apply time restrictions or have an advanced register process.”
“Our visitors must get convenient access to the web to maintain in contact with friends and family, and most significantly avoid paying excessive mobile roaming charges. With average global roaming prices at $10 per Mb, 1GB of usage would cost a user $10,000 – that makes for an opulent holiday!”
“Many visitors may have a sensible mobile device which can be becoming extremely popular and we’re committed to helping them take advantage of this technology. Now we have deployed almost half the planned 1,000 hot spots in the coverage area of the Auckland Central Business District, the Viaduct, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay and Freemans Bay.”
Callander continues “the WiFi access points was offered to all bars, restaurants, hotels, motels and anywhere where large numbers of folk are expected to satisfy. If any business located in these coverage areas wish to offer a duty free WiFi service, simply visit www.rugbysupporters.co.nz and request WiFi hot spot. It really is simply plug and play.”
“We’re seeing very quick uptake with over 50Gb of traffic per day at the network that’s amazing, nevertheless it is a mirrored image of ways easy the service is to make use of. Everybody ought to do is click the ‘CallPlus Rugby Supporters’ or ‘Slingshot Rugby Supporters’ and you’re away. Give it a go.”
“The service is being delivered over our own 4G Wireless network so it’s independent of alternative initiatives designed to offer an identical service. Here is great for Auckland and its visitors and may lead to a good customer experience that are supposed to spread to their family and friends worldwide.”
For more info, visit www.rugbysupporters.co.nz.
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