Signs of free Wi-fi internet dream coming true

Signs of free Wi-fi internet dream coming true

Hot spots for 250 locations before 100 days

While a proposal has been made to install free internet

facilities under the new government to chosen locations in the country, this dream which the young generation was looking forward to shows signs of being fulfilled.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Ajith P. Perera who happens to be an old blogmaster operates with great interest over this matter and having collaborated with ICT Institute revealed further information about taking steps to launch this State Concept at a news discussion held yesterday. Accordingly what he says is that 250 locations throughout the island would be located within the 100 day programme and that free Wi-fi zones (hot spots) would definitely be installed before two or three months elapse. Those places will be railway stations, bus stops where the public are seen in large numbers, libraries which can boast about a big membership, common playgrounds where a majority of the public are seen and all universities.

The number of such locations would be increased from 250 to 1000 after a 100 days.

In the meantime, under a suggestion of Sri Lankan born Technologist Chamath Palihapitiya, a proposal has been made to provide a plan to provide Wi-fi internet facilities across the satellite with a low expenditure to cover the whole land of Sri Lanka. Ajith P. Perera the Deputy Minister who mentioned that the proposal is still at discussion level with the President he further remarked that in future there is a possibility that instead of this hot spot, it would be possible to provide internet facility across satellite all over the country.

The Deputy Minister who pointed out that the expenses incurred by the government to provide free internet facility would not be in vain and if the State Concept could be properly put into action through it, expenses incurred by the public in relation to transport and time wasted could be saved to a minimum; therefore much public expenditure would be saved and also because the monies spent by the government in employing large manpower also could be brought down to a minimum. As such much money could be saved over in State activities in comparison to internet expenditure. In the same way, he says that this would turn out to be a productive investment where the government policy of providing freedom of acquiring information is concerned.

Even in the presence of former Minister Wimal Weeravansha too Deputy Minister Ajith Perera confirmed his ideas at the Rupavahini political programme Balaya sometime back that providing this free Wi-fi internet facility is becoming a success. On that occasion ex-Minister Wimal said that "it was possible for you'll to provide this Wi-fi because a country remained for Mahinda having won the war and gave it to you".