Free Internet surfing in Perak by June

Free Internet surfing in Perak by June:

IPOH: At least one free WiFi hotspot in each of the state’s nine districts – this is what the Government is targeting by June.

The service, which will allow those with WiFi-enabled devices like laptops, mobile phones and PDAs to surf free of charge, is part of the Government’s Wireless Perak initiative, deployed and managed by wireless broadband solutions provider The Red Snapper (M) Sdn Bhd.

“In Ipoh, for instance, users can enjoy free internet access at Ipoh Padang and the Sungai Tapah multipurpose hall in Manjoi,” said the company’s executive chairman Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff.

“You can get online by using your device to open a web browser. You will come to a landing page with a user name and password that gives you access,” he added.

However, the service will automatically disconnect every 30 minutes to deter users from hogging the lines or downloading illegal content, he added.

“Through Wireless Perak, we are aiming for the state to be 100% wireless by March or April this year,” said Rais Hussin.

“At the moment, 44% of Perak is covered for WiFi through 47 base stations,” he added.

For non-free WiFi hotspots, users will need to register with Jaring and pay a subscription to use the service.

“So far, 75% of Ipoh is covered by 25 WiFi hotspots or base stations. Each base station can handle 256 users at any one time,” said Rais Hussin.

The company is currently setting up and testing the system in Manjung district.

The aim of the Wireless Perak project is to provide wireless facilities in urban and rural areas, providing equal access to ICT and bridging the digital divide.