Saskatoon City Moves Forward With Free Wi-Fi Pilot Program – Saskatoon

City of Saskatoon is launching a pilot program to provide the public with free access to WIFI in several core neighborhoods.

“This is an exciting project that could have an immediate impact on quality of life for residents in the area,” said Celene Anger, Director of Strategy and Transformation.

In December 2016, the federal government declared Internet access a fundamental human right for Canadian citizens. Since then, cities across the country have sought to tackle the problem.

Often referred to as the ‘digital divide’, the pilot project aims to help people who currently have no or limited access to the Internet have better access to online services and participate in a technical society. growing numbers today.

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Saskatoon City Council tests free wifi for residents

Pilot a cost-effective way to provide 1500 residents with WIFI from within their home or out in public. It will be launched in the city in a densely populated area, calculated by five population groups including:

• Youth
• Elder
• Immigrants
• Indigenous peoples
• low income

Continuing with project implementation, the City will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) next week to a product supplier to provide wireless internet access points throughout the proposed area. export.

The City will provide high-speed Internet over fiber to the Saskatoon Fire Development Center, a City-owned building located at 116 Avenue W South that will serve as a connection point (hub) for equipment. This Wi-Fi

We hope to identify opportunities, address challenges, and evaluate the success of delivering public Wi-Fi through this project,” Anger said.

The project is worth $250,000 and is expected to break ground in late summer/fall 2022.