3,500 Wi-Fi 'hot spots' for KL

There will be 3,500 hot spots for wireless Internet access in Kuala Lumpur by the end of 2009, Federal Territory Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said yesterday.

This will be made possible under the Wireless@KL project, a RM60 million project to be funded by the government and a private company.

Internet access will be free for two years from the day the user registers. From then on, users must pay for the service.

The minister said this to reporters after the launch of the project in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. This year, it promises 1,500 Internet access points around the city.

The project is part of the Klang Valley broadband push initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to spur demand for broadband among city dwellers.

MCMC and Kuala Lumpur City Hall will provide RM5 million each for the project while the remaining RM50 million will be funded by Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Green Packet Bhd.

The first phase of the project will see the creation of 1,500 Wi-Fi zones at commercial centres, offices, City Hall public homes, City Hall community centres and other public areas.

Special attention will be given to business areas around the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Golden Triangle where World Congress IT 2008 will take place on May 18, said Zulhasnan.

The portal www.kul.com.my was also launched yesterday where it will serve as a one-stop source of information for the latest on all things related to Kuala Lumpur.

Also present at the launch yesterday were Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan and Packet One chief executive officer Michael Lai.

On another issue, Zulhasnan said the draft of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 which seeks to further develop the capital will be exhibited for six weeks beginning Thursday for public scrutiny.

By New Straits Times (by Roziana Hamsawi)