Sydney’s Districts Are Going Wireless

Today Sydney has joined the ranks of global technology cities by announcing a plan to roll-out free wireless network services in 2008. The wi-fi network will cover the Sydney CBD and North Sydney plus the business districts in Liverpool, Parramatta, Wollongong, Newcastle and Gosford.

In many aspects this will provide the mechanism for Sydneysiders to utilise the best that internet technology has to offer. It will provide benefits to business people (particularly useful to my fellow small business owners), government authorities and tourists.

But is it all good?

It will be free so anyone with a computer can access it – good, bad or indifferent. And free internet access doesn’t help much for a large proportion of the population that doesn’t have a portable computing device.

For me? I can see it being a busy time doing some education with small business clients updating them on making the best use of this utility, keeping them secure, and bringing one-step further into the new century.

So now Sydney has announced their plans what about the other Australian capitals? Come on Melbourne are you happy to come second again?