Council ponders $130k for wi-fi spots in public places

A wi-fi hotspot beside the Municipal Theatre covering Tiffen Park is one of five proposed by Napier City Council staff. Photo/Warren Buckland

Napier city councillors are being asked to spend $130,000 on new free wi-fi hotspots after council staff determined the existing service was not meeting its objectives.

The issue will be discussed tomorrow at a meeting of the council's city development committee, with staff recommending councillors spend an estimated $34,000 a year over four years to fund five new hotspots.

The council currently contributes to the cost of a free public wi-fi service launched in the Napier CBD in September 2011 by local telecommunications company Revolutionz, which operates via 13 hotspots.

The objectives of investing in the network included meeting "general expectations" that wi-fi be available for city visitors and residents, and to make public spaces "more vibrant by keeping customers in town for longer," council corporate IT manager Andrew Siddles said in a report to be considered by the committee.

"While generally available, the wi-fi isn't used for the purposes council would like, such as providing visitor information, council services and destination marketing," Mr Siddles' report said.

"Also, although the wi-fi is encouraging people to linger in the city centre, they tend to do so on the kerbside rather than in our parks and courtyards."

There was anecdotal evidence the service was difficult for users to connect to.

"There are also reports of poor signal strength, and complaints about the short time and narrow bandwidth available. These are the kinds of 'digital confidence' issues that need to be addressed," the report said.

Council staff did not believe the city should fund the development of a new network because that wasn't "council's core business, is very costly and has a high risk".

Instead, staff were recommending the council fund five new hotspots covering the intercity bus terminal and neighbouring Clive Square, the airport, Marine Parade (near the MTG and soundshell), outside the public library, and Tiffen Park, beside the Municipal Theatre.

The estimated cost of $34,000 a year compared to $41,000 per annum to continue funding the existing network.