WHAT IT MEANS: Wi-Fi is free for users, but someone has to fund it. Most SA metros already offer free Wi-Fi.Can free public Wi-Fi access become an election issue? It should. Voters should be aware of how political parties intend to expand access to the Internet, especially in under-served communities. The roll-out of public Wi-Fi networks is gaining traction, and communities have begun to expect that their newly elected councillors will keep their promises regarding free Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a short-range wireless network. It is already offered in public places such as restaurants, shopping malls and hotels, sometimes for a fee. The rise in the adoption of smartphones has resulted in a spike in data usage, and the demand for fast and reliable broadband networks has soared. Wi-Fi is increasingly offered in places as divergent as malls, schools, taxis, and buses. During the campaign for local government elections, political parties promised to provide free Wi-Fi. A study released this mont...
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