Public given free access to Wi-Fi service

A group of schoolchildren chattered excitedly as they tested the free Wi-Fi service sitting under the shady trees at the Old Railway Station Garden in Birkirkara yesterday.

The Birkirkara garden is the first of 80 spots across Malta and Gozo where a free wireless internet service filtered against inappropriate and illegal content will be provided. The service was also inaugurated at Independence Garden, in Sliema and the area around St Aloysius College Sports Complex in Birkirkara, Communications Minister Austin Gatt said yesterday.

A number of free Wi-Fi points will be installed in various public libraries and schools.

The Malta Communications Authority donated 10 laptops to the Birkirkara local council.

Factbox

The term Wi-Fi is often used by the public as a synonym for wireless networks, which are supported by most personal computer operating systems, many game consoles, laptops, smartphones, printers and other peripherals.

A Wi-Fi enabled device, such as a PC, game console or mobile phone, can connect to the internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the internet.

The coverage of one or more interconnected access points - called a hotspot - can comprise an area as small as a single room or as large as many square miles covered by overlapping access points.