Free Wi-Fi is now available across approximately 70 per cent of Barbados, says the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation (BEF).
Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that all Barbadians have access to free Wireless Fidelity, the organization said this achievement was due to the support of the private sector, statutory organizations, community centres, churches, and over 16 000 friends on Facebook.
Business facilitation champion and project leader Melanie Jones said support for the project has been overwhelming.
“A look at our Facebook page shows that the Barbadian public cannot get free Internet access fast enough and visitors to the island are delighted to discover that free Wi-Fi is available on such a widespread basis.
“People know how critical free Internet connectivity is to their success. It is the new gateway to education, productivity, business development and communication in the global community,” she said.
Jones thanked everyone who has contributed to the success of the project so far and invited anyone who has the means to offer free Wi-Fi anywhere in Barbados to collaborate with the BEF.
The BEF noted that since November, its Wi-Fi team has been deeply engaged in contacting companies interested in supporting the initiative and has secured the support of local Internet service provider Winet.
Winet has facilitated five “mushroom” hotspots (having a kilometre or greater radius) at Lammings, St Joseph; Fontabelle, St Michael; Gun Hill and Newbury, St George; Maxwell, Christ Church; and White Hall, St Michael.
The Ansa McAL group has also added three mushrooms at Haggatt Hall, St Michael; Mile-and-a-Quarter, St Peter; and St Martin’s, St Philip.
“Verdun House in St John, a parish which previously had no Wi-Fi accessible to the public, also recently added a mushroom.
“Meanwhile Tapas on the popular South Coast Boardwalk has also added a mushroom.
“Several more locations are on the mushroom installation roster, including Priva in Holetown, various locations of the Preconco Group, Lanterns Mall, locations in Cattlewash and Bathsheba, the Supreme Courts of Justice and a number of constituency offices of both political parties.
“In total there are now more than 115 free Wi-Fi points available for access by the public all around the island,” the organization said. (NB/PR)
