Re: Anyone know anything about this?

On 2/26/07, unit3 <unit3@demoni.ca> wrote:

> Lance Levsen wrote:
> > PROVINCE TO PROVIDE FREE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS:
> >
> > http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=71f283b3-f8f8-44c4-b0d6-693921262e29
>
> I believe SaskTel is the partner. However, keep in mind that they only
> cover a very small region of downtown Saskatoon and Regina right now

The PDF linked from that URL fills in more details:
http://www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?mediaId=26&PN=Shared

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Q: Who would operate and maintain the networks?
The Information Technology Office (ITO) will operate and maintain the
networks, in
conjunction with SaskTel, the cities and post-secondary institutions.
---
interesting to note:
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Q: What will be the impact on other local telecommunications companies?
The network will offer speeds that are somewhat less than high-speed Internet,
but are nonetheless significantly better than dial-up, making the service most
suitable for occasional or light use by residents, students, and
visitors to our cities.
Residents seeking higher speeds are encouraged to purchase high-speed Internet
access from any of the local Internet service providers.
Q: Are there any other restrictions to the free access?
As a publicly-funded initiative we have decided to block adult, gambling, hate,
and racism sites from access. Again, residents seeking unfettered access to the
Internet are encouraged to purchase high-speed Internet from any of the local
Internet service providers.
Q: How will the service work?
Simply open up a Wi-Fi equipped laptop or desktop computer in the coverage
zone, register for a free account and logon and start using the free service.
Q: Why just these cities? Why not others as well?
This is just a starting point. The province has a long history of technology
"firsts": the first ATM network, the first provincial fibre optic network, and
CommunityNet - the first public sector network connecting every
school, hospital,
and government office. Without a doubt this initiative as well will expand over
time to include larger parts of these cities and to include more communities.
---
There is a map of the planned coverage area
http://www.saskatchewan.ca/Default.aspx?DN=b72a7c0f-e182-497b-b7a7-8afdbdfa7ac0
on the Saskatchewan! Connected website
http://www.saskatchewan.ca/connected
CK