Image: Phil Campbell
The use of mobile devices has become more ingrained into public life, with no end in sight and no chance that anyone is about to put their phones down.
It’s a relatively new trend that’s become such an entrenched part of the way people communicate with one another, that entire industries and infrastructure have been built to cater to everyone who uses mobile phones, tablets and laptop computers.
It’s all part of the so-called ‘digital revolution’, where more and more people are accessing services online, whether it be news sites, message boards, shopping or even government services.
While Federal Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull and New South Wales Minister for Finance and Services Dominic Perrottet set the agenda for ‘digital transformation’ and outfitting state services for a new generation of defiant faultfinders, local governments are also doing their bit to supply better digital services for citizens.
And they are trying to make it easier for people to access the internet on the go.
While people may be largely dependent on their mobile data signals through 4G, the data allocations they are given are usually at risk of running out before they receive the monthly bill. It’s a frustrating dilemma for any mobile user on a contract.
But wherever they go, they’re bound to find public places where they can receive a public Wi-Fi signal and simply sign in to that service and therefore mitigate any potential loss of data from their own mobile service.
And that’s where local governments are stepping in to provide such services, as the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has released a new set of guidelines for councils in setting up their own public Wi-Fi infrastructure.
MAV Technology, the Association’s information technology division comprised of independently funded practitioners, has launched a report on Implementing Public Wi-Fi services for Local Government.
The new report includes a collection of research and case studies relevant for councils looking to implement, or grow an existing public Wi-Fi service.
Commissioned by MAV Technology and developed by Charlie Mac and Associates over the period December 2014 to January 2015, the report includes a comprehensive assortment of information and case studies intended to help councils understand how others have implemented public Wi-Fi solutions and guide them in their own projects.
The Association has not only created a report to assist councils in their Wi-Fi planning, MAV Technology has also joined the ‘wiki’ movement by creating a special log-in site where members can download all the background and reference materials, post updates and make comments.
