The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) is currently looking for a service provider to offer free internet to the general public in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
A total of 234 sites have already been identified across the country for this purpose. The Wi-Fi hotspot service will be free of charge in stadiums, Area Health Centers, community centers, Pamplemousses Garden, Aapravashi Ghat, National Museum, hospitals, municipal centers, Grand-Bassin parking lot, mediclinics, Area Health Centers, Traffic Centers, etc. This project is called, The Universal Service.
Using a smartphone, tablet or laptop, users will be able to easily connect to the Wi-Fi service which will be limited to 2 hours per user over a 24-hour period.
The free Wi-Fi service would normally be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but would be subject to the hours of operation of specific publicly administered sites.
The TIOW also wants the Wi-Fi service provider to be able to connect a minimum of 100 users at a time in Area Health Centers and a minimum of 150 users in Village Halls, Hospitals and Medi-Clinics. This service will be able to connect a minimum of 200 users in the Nature Reserves and Traffic Centers (TC).
The contract to be signed with the provider of the free internet services will be for a period of 36 months. The ICTA will announce its choice of a free Internet service provider in November/December.
