Major internet scoop for Knysna business, tourism

By Brett Adkins Garden Route Bureau Chief

IN a major boost to business and tourism, the Knysna municipality is to extend its cutting-edge wireless technology to key areas throughout the town to help dramatically reduce phonecall and internet costs.

The WiFi (wireless fidelity) “hotspot” network was initially introduced at several municipal buildings last year to cut costs within the local authority.

The pioneering move has been so successful that the municipality is now expanding the system at a cost of R250 000, creating 150 hotspots in business districts, main tourist areas, black-owned businesses in informal settlements, and on major routes.

The municipality says the thinking behind expanding the service is to promote local economic development by improving communications for Knysna‘s business community – especially BEE businesses – while also boosting tourism, one of the town‘s major industries.

The benefit to tourism was evident at the recent Knysna Oyster Festival when many visitors accessed the web for local services like accommodation sites by using the WiFi service.

The municipality last year signed a R2,5-million, five-year deal with the Cape Town-based wireless internet service provider Uninet in a dual project called “UniFi” aimed at developing business and empowering the community. WiFi users must have access to the internet.

The system operates using radio signals instead of landline connections for telephone calls and internet access. Connection is free and calls are free if the other person is also in a hotspot.

On average, WiFi phones are cheaper than cellphones.

A hotspot area has a 100-metre radius. A user must be in the hotspot area to access the service, but may call a number anywhere in the world.

Knysna became the first fully WiFienabled town in South Africa in September last year when it introduced the cutting edge wireless technology, allowing the municipality to provide improved and cheaper communication services.

It is estimated that the wireless service will save the Knysna municipality about R4-million in Telkom fees alone over the five-year contract period. Knysna financial services manager Grant Easton said that following the “resounding success” of the hotspot services introduced in municipal buildings, the municipality was keen to see access to the services expanded into more areas.

The ultimate goal would be to provide blanket coverage, he said.

“Knysna has received recognition from the department of communications, Parliament and various international bodies for the pioneering role it has played in bringing low-cost services to all residents and visitors.”

Users in Knysna will be afforded 45 minutes of free internet access day via the WiFi hotspot connections around the town.

“Once the 45 minutes are used, the user may purchase more airtime from a variety of providers or wait till the following day when an additional 45 minutes will be available.”