Free public #VanWiFi is here

City of Vancouver
Information Bulletin

October 22, 2015

Over the summer, City staff and TELUS have been working to bring free public Wi-Fi to civic locations throughout Vancouver. Residents and visitors to the City of Vancouver can now enjoy free public Wi-Fi access on their smartphone, tablet or laptop at six civic locations, with service expanding in the coming months to an additional 37 sites throughout the City. The expansion of the free public Wi-Fi is a core element of Vancouver’s Digital Strategy, which also included the launch of the City’s app VanConnect earlier this year.

     The first six City locations to have free public Wi-Fi available are: 

•            Mount Pleasant Community Centre 
•            Champlain Heights Community Centre 
•            Coal Harbour Community Centre 
•            Roundhouse Community Centre 
•            Langara Golf Course Club House 
•            Fraserview Golf Course Club House

To connect to #VanWiFi at these locations:

1.  Select the #VanWiFi network name from your device’s Wi-Fi settings menu
2.   Open your browser and you will be automatically re-directed to the #Wi-Fi terms and conditions page.
3. Read and then click the button to accept the terms and conditions.
4. You will be re-directed to the #VanWiFi home page (http://vancouver.ca/vanwifi) and are then connected to the internet.

The next four sites that City staff are working with TELUS crews to launch free Wi-Fi at will include Creekside Community Recreation Centre, the Gathering Place, Trout Lake Community Centre, and the McCleery Golf Course Club House – these are expected to go live in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year, the City implemented a procurement process to solicit applications from telecommunications service providers to provide free public Wi-Fi. In April, TELUS was awarded the contract for an initial group of 43 locations at no cost to the City. This initial list of 43 sites includes 27 community centres, four outdoor pools, four civic facilities, three public golf courses, three theatres and two marinas.

A broadly deployed public Wi-Fi network aligns with Initiative Four of the City of Vancouver’s Digital Strategy: Infrastructure and Assets Pillar, which calls for “expanded digital access throughout the city”.

Not only is a broadly deployed public Wi-Fi network identified by the Digital Strategy as a key indicator of a digital city, it also aligns with the Tourism Vancouver Master Plan and the Vancouver Economic Action Strategy.

The City of Vancouver has already made a significant investment in addressing the digital divide though the Vancouver Public Library (VPL). The VPL has provided free public Wi-Fi in all locations since 2007. More recently, public Wi-Fi was added to Vancouver City Hall, Development Services, and the Park Board Office.

         

For more information on the City of Vancouver’s free public Wi-Fi program, visit Vancouver.ca/wifi

For more information about VanConnect, visit vancouver.ca/vanconnect

For more information on the City of Vancouver’s Digital Strategy, visit http://vancouver.ca/your-government/digital-strategy.aspx

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Media contact:

Corporate Communications

604.871.6336

media@vancouver.ca