Residents in Cape Town communities will now be able to use unlimited Wi-Fi through Google. The tech company launched a free public Wi-Fi hotspot programme early November 2019. The free Wifi can be accessed at Google Stations where people must connect to the “Free Google Station-ThinkWiFi” network, watch a short advert, click continue and wait for the Wi-Fi to connect. Once connected, users have 30 minutes browsing time but may add extra 30 minutes as many times as they want.
Google South Africa launched stations in Langa, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Delft, Elsies River, and Philippi. The Director of Google Africa said “these communities represent some of the most under-served communities in the country, with high unemployment and crime rates. He added that “by gaining access to information via the internet, we hope that people in these communities will get a more equal opportunity to learn and develop and live more empowered lives,”.
Google signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Cape Town last October, but no timelines for the project were given. The Google Station project has already been running in countries across the world such as the Philippines, Nigeria and India. Now it is in South Africa, where it will cover areas such as Langa, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Delft, Elsies River, Philippi and more.
The internet service, in partnership with Think WiFi, will also be available in more than 100 other locations like shopping malls and universities. Google’s chief business officer David Shapiro said the project would empower communities. The telecommunications company reported that only 39% of Africans have access to the web and those without access are left to rely on the limited public Wi-Fi hotspots to connect, communicate and learn.
