Vancouverites don’t get very many months of sun, and when we do, the last thing we want is to spend our time inside. Luckily, soon those within the city will be able to amplify their outdoor enjoyment with access to FREE WI-FI, while taking in Vancouver’s beaches and parks. Yes, that’s right, Vancouver will offer 100% free Wi-Fi to both Vancouverites and visitors, in certain public areas, meaning the days of running to Starbucks to access Facebook are almost over.
I mean, imagine responding to work e-mails off the shores of Kits Beach on a warm summer day, or completing a homework assignment while picnicking in Stanley Park. Not to mention the convenience of being able to send a Snapchat to a friend. There is no denying that the Internet plays an integral role in our daily lives, making this sound like the ultimate plan to get everyone outdoors!
For those who aren’t quite as familiar with the city, this will also serve as a great way to help those in the WI-FI hotspots find their way around, giving them access to bus routes, restaurants, and street maps. Whilst building our reputation with Vancouver’s tourists at the same time (just think of how impressed you’d be if you visited a Wi-Fi accessible city).
This initiative, builds off of the City of Vancouver Digital Strategy that received approval in April 2013. Although costs and the project’s exact timeline have yet to be planned, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, the City of Vancouver, the General Manager, and the Chief General Officer of the City of Vancouver are working on the WI-FI’s implementation.
For those of us who find ourselves in constant need of Internet access, this certainly will change a day outdoors in Vancouver! No more searching for open Wi-Fi, or frustration with unexpectedly losing a signal, just head to a park or beach, and you will have all of the Internet that you need.
Written by: Kerri J
