adminAfrica Unity Square, a popular meeting place in Harare’s central business district that had become a free WiFi hotspot where people accessed the Harare Publicity Office wireless Internet has now secured its connections.Although the revelation was received with surprise by a legion of users, City of Harare spokesman Mr Leslie Gwindi said it was never meant to be open for free use by the public in the first place.
“The Internet facility has been open since 2007 when it was installed. When we realised it was being abused we decided to secure the domain by use of a password. It should be noted that we are not in a position to offer free internet access,” he said.
Mr Gwindi added that any complaints about the development were “misplaced”. He ruled out any possibility that the position would be changed despite an outcry from a number of technology geeks and students who were used to the free internet access.
“The access will not be opened to the public. It is also a way of avoiding congesting the internet access”
The park which had become popular with people of all ages, most of them students, joins other networks in the area that have secured their networks through the use of passwords.
“I guess they had the right to do that but there is no denying how many people benefited from that WiFi. There are people who got degrees using that facility. Life is tough hey,” said a 19-year old student who had just discovered the development at the park.
The African Unity Square had become a favourite spot for people of all ages, including tourists who would come to use the Harare Publicity Office’s free WiFi. The other option now left is to use Internet cafes that charge for connecting to their hotspots around the city.
Wi-fi hotspots generally charge a dollar for a period of between 40 minutes and one hour. 3G mobile internet is now available through all networks with some special offers for complimentary data packets as competition for business hots up.
Online Reporter