HK launches public Wi-Fi services

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday launched public Wi-Fi program to give free access to hotspots, which is expected to promote the city's competitiveness.

The GovWiFi program, which will cover libraries, government offices, job centers, public inquiry centers, sports, cultural and recreation centers, community centers and parks, has provided the wireless Internet with free access into more than 30 government buildings.

In addition, it will put in place about 2,000 hotspots, which is expected to cover about 350 locations by mid-2009, according to Frederick Ma, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Ma noted that the Wi-Fi services have installed over 1,000 hotspots in just the first two months of 2008.

The free trade hub now leads among even the developed cities in wireless Internet access. Ma said that the HKSAR government would continue to help introduce innovation services.