Sydney ferries get more free internet

The NSW Government will offer free wi-fi services on about 70 percent of the Sydney ferry fleet from today, giving 200,000 passengers up to 60MB of free quota a day.

The extension of free wireless internet came after a trial of technology on the Manly ferries last year.

From today, all 'First Fleet' ferries, including the Charlotte, Golden Grove, Scarborough, Friendship and Borrowdale, plus all the Manly Ferries, offered the free internet.

That meant that customers in Balmain, Birchgrove, Balmain West, Woolwich, Greenwich, Milson's Point, Kirribilli, Cremorne Point, Neutral Bay and Pyrmont Bay could all take advantage, the Government said.

"The free WiFi access includes 30 minutes or 30MB of download per device, for a morning and an afternoon session each day," Transport Minister John Robertson said.

It was unclear how many passengers would take advantage of the service. Most business smartphone plans included data quotas; however, it was possible for business people to preserve their quota by switching the device to the wi-fi network.

Robertson immediately turned the Government's offer into a political football, calling on the State Opposition to commit to keeping the free internet services should they win the state election in late March.