Free Statewide WiFi Access Program (SWAP) expands

The Tasmanian Government is expanding access to its SWAP - free WiFi network to enable more Tasmanians to connect online at hospitals, community health centres, libraries, and government buildings across the state.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, Madeleine Ogilvie, joined children at the Tasmanian Solar Model Challenge in Hobart on Saturday to announce free WiFi is now available at more than 80 Tasmanian Government sites around the State.

“We established the Statewide WiFi Access Program (SWAP) in December last year to evaluate suitable locations and progressively roll out services. We have updated our map of free WiFi access points which is now available online,” Minister Ogilvie said.

“Free public WiFi enables Tasmanians to access services, e-commerce activities, apply for work, undertake educational activities and stay in touch with family and friends.

“Access to online services is becoming increasingly important for daily life. Expanded free WiFi will enable people who may not have access to a reliable connection at home to have free access to online services via government services.

"We also want students, beyond the school gate, to be able to access free WiFi. Our SWAP rollout leverages government's existing WiFi capacity and opens it up for community use.

“The ability to have this connection is also critically important during emergency situations, which has been evidenced recently following several extreme weather events.

“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future invests in essential services, builds stronger communities and enhances our regions, and the Statewide WiFi Access Program is one way our Government is addressing the digital divide, connecting Tasmanians and working to improve digital inclusion and participation.”

WiFi access under the SWAP program is provided by Telstra, through the Tasmanian Government’s ‘Networking Tasmania’ arrangements, and is supported by Cisco technology.

For more information, including a list of free WiFi sites, go to https://www.digital.tas.gov.au/free-wifi