Hong Kong's common Wi-Fi brand launched

Hong Kong's common Wi-Fi brand launched
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     Hong Kong's common Wi-Fi brand, Wi-Fi.HK, was officially launched today (August 5) to make it easier for the public and visitors to identify free Wi-Fi hotspots in the territory, and to further enhance Hong Kong's position as a highly connected city.

     Starting from today, the public and visitors can get connected for free if they can access Wi-Fi hotspots under the identifier named "Wi-Fi.HK" with their smartphones or mobile devices, or at places with the Wi-Fi.HK signage. The Wi-Fi service provided is either completely free or free for at least 30 minutes. No registration is required.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, together with the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, officiated at the launching of the Wi-Fi.HK brand.

     Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr Tsang said that it is important to have convenient and free public Wi-Fi service to enable the use of various types of mobile apps anytime and anywhere. Wi-Fi.HK provides precisely this necessary connection. It enables the public and visitors to get easy and convenient access to online information from the Internet and enjoy the efficiency brought about by information and communications technology.

     Mr Tsang was encouraged by the enthusiastic support and participation of Wi-Fi operators as well as public and private organisations towards the branding scheme. He said he hoped that through promoting this common brand, the development of public Wi-Fi service in Hong Kong will further expand.

     To date, participating organisations of the Wi-Fi.HK brand include Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited, Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited, Hutchison Global Communications Limited, Y5ZONE Limited, Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited.

     More than 5 000 hotspots are now available under the Wi-Fi.HK brand, including Wi-Fi hotspots under the Government Wi-Fi Programme (GovWiFi). Wi-Fi.HK provides free Wi-Fi service across the city covering Hong Kong International Airport, tourist attractions, public telephone booths, shopping centres, cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, Cyberport, the Science Park and GovWiFi premises.

     The public and visitors can use the Wi-Fi.HK mobile app and the positioning function of their mobile devices to locate free public Wi-Fi hotspots in their vicinity, or they can use the app to search for hotspots by district, venue type or keyword. The Wi-Fi.HK thematic website (www.wi-fi.hk) also provides information on free public Wi-Fi hotspots under Wi-Fi.HK and details of the brand.

     Under the Digital 21 Strategy, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) will continue to promote development of public Wi-Fi service by the public and private sectors. Apart from extending GovWiFi to more government premises, the OGCIO also assists public and private organisations, such as the Hospital Authority, to collaborate with Wi-Fi operators to provide Wi-Fi service that is either completely free or free for a limited period of time, and aims to achieve the goal of "Connected City, Connecting People" in Hong Kong.

Ends/Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:06

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