Joburg residents will soon enjoy free internet access via open Wi-Fi hotspots around the city.
This was according to Executive Mayor Parks Tau, who announced that open Wi-Fi went live at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto, where he was delivering the 2014 State of the City Address.
Tau further announced that open Wi-Fi had gone live at nine Rea Vaya stations in the city, including Orlando Stadium, Orlando Police Station, Soccer City, Park Station, Noordgesig, Joburg Theatre, Soweto Art Gallery, Carlton Centre and Fashion Square.
The City of Johannesburg has spent R1 billion on the rollout of free internet services.
According to Tau, the city council planned to rollout 1 000 Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city by the end of the mayoral term in 2016.
Additionally, 35 libraries will be connected by June and 85 libraries in the city will have access by the end of the year.
“The broadband will significantly increase access through our libraries to the internet, including open online courses,” he said.
During the rollout, the city council will train 1 000 students each year to work within communities to introduce the latest technology and ensure that the broadband network was utilised by residents, Tau explained.
