Poles leave Canberra wi-fi rollout hanging

iiNet’s Canberra free wi-fi network rollout has fallen well behind schedule due to delays caused by upgrades to the territory’s lighting infrastructure.

iiNet was expected to have in excess of 700 wi-fi sites operating by June this year.

However, the ACT’s Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate’s (CMTEDD) has revealed that only 174 wireless access points sites have been established so far.

A further 76 access points were expected to be rolled out by the end of October, leaving the rollout 450 sites short of the June target.

The 'CBRfree' network is one of the first free city wi-fi networks of its kind to be established in Australia.

When complete, the network is expected to provide free internet access in 12 of the territory’s major business districts and Canberra’s exhibition centre, EPIC, at a cost of around $4 million.

A spokesman for the CMTEDD said the rollout had been delayed due to upgrades to light poles where the access points were being installed.

“The CBRfree wi-fi transmitters are being installed on territory-owned light poles as it provides the best access to power and fibre networks," the spokesperson said.

"There have been delays in the rollout as the upgrade of some of the light poles to meet revised Australian standards has taken longer than expected. iiNet and the CMTEDD are working cooperatively with Roads ACT to coordinate the completion of the rollout."

The full rollout would likely be delayed until the end of the current financial year, the spokesman said.

The CMTEDD did not reveal whether the upgrades were within the original budget for the network.

It said the outdoor sites were operating in central Canberra, including City East, City West, Braddon and New Acton, and more than 80 indoor sites across Weston Creek, Woden Town Centre, Tuggeranong Town Centre, Kingston Foreshore, Fyshwick and Mitchell.

CBRfree was expected to become available at Belconnen, Manuka and Dickson by the end of October, the CMTEDD’s office said.

iiNet chief business officer, Greg Bader, declined to comment on the rollout and referred iTnews to the CMTEDD’s office.

The office said TPG’s recent acquisition of iiNet would not affect the CBRfree rollout.

“The TPG acquisition has had no impact on the rollout of CBRfree. iiNet and TPG have both expressed their full commitment to the project,” the spokesman said.

iiNet also provides the City of Perth with a free public wi-fi service in the city’s CBD.

Additionally, the Victorian government paid iiNet $6.7 million to manage and operate its free public wi-fi pilot program in central Melbourne, central Ballarat and central Bendigo over five years.