The municipality wants to know: where do you want free wifi?
Beginning next week, a survey—both digital and paper—will be circulated to find out whether the community supports the installation of free wifi in town, and, if so, where it should be made available.
Shaw Communications approached the municipality in September, proposing to install several micro transmitters on municipal infrastructure across town, allowing the company to provide free wifi access to its customers, as well as the general public.
After some negotiations between the town’s chief administrative officer and Shaw, a non-exclusive contract came before council Jan. 20 that gives the municipality the last word on the location of transmitters and also gives it the option to offer the same opportunity to other wifi providers.
Administration now wants to consult the public to see if this is something the community needs and wants.
The results of the consultation will be presented to council, who will make a decision on whether or not to allow Shaw to install micro transmitters and, if it does, where those transmitters should go.
In the original contract presented by Shaw, it was left open to the company to determine where it would install its micro transmitters. But, following negotiations with Mark Fercho, the contract was altered to give the municipality the last word on locations.
If council gives the go-ahead, Shaw customers would be able to log on free of charge, and non-customers would be able to access the network for a specified time by providing an email address.
The Town of Hinton has entered into a similar agreement with Shaw and now offers the service in its municipal facilities.
“They’ve had a great experience with it,” said Fercho during the Feb. 3 council meeting.
Fercho noted that, like Hinton, an option for Jasper might be providing the service only in its public facilities.
All of those options, along with the community’s feedback, will be presented to council at the end of the public consultation.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
