Public Wi-Fi Provision by Australian Local Authorities: National Survey Results

Abstract

This report presents data from the first national survey of public Wi-Fi provision by Australian local government authorities. In international terms, the widespread provision of public Wi-Fi by Australian city governments or municipal authorities is a relatively recent development. The report shows a rapid scaling up of public Wi-Fi provision over the past five years, with plans for further network rollouts within the next three years. The report examines rationales for provision, network locations, and access conditions. The report notes that only one third of survey respondents had digital strategies, and only half of those municipalities with digital strategies specifically addressed public Wi-Fi provision in those documents. In addition, few municipalities have conducted formal evaluation of their investment in Wi-fi provision.