Joseph Sekiku

Tanzania

Telecentre manager, FADECO

It is true that the US has managed to offer free or really affordable wi-fi access at hotels, airports and at most public places. I know particularly of NY Wireless but also of many other free wireless networks in the US.

This is apparently not so for the UK and I think much of Europe. Whereas there is access, the cost is very exorbitant. I wondered why that is the case.

In Africa, it is even worse. Only the Airport at nairobi (Kenya) offers free wifi access. I have not know of other similar free wifi in africa. Hotels in nairobi charge very high rates for wifi access and I always questioned why this is the case.

In Tanzania, FADECO a rural telecentre is struggling to create a wireless community. In order to do this has set up a wireless link where users pay a modest fee and have unlimited access to the internet via wifi.

Hotel and public ammenity places should endeavour to offer free access because they they would gain more their users accessing more of their services.