SEOUL – An expanded number of public and residential areas in Seoul will be offering free public Wi-Fi by 2022, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Monday (Oct 7).
The city plans to triple the number of Wi-Fi hotspots from 7,420 to 23,750 by 2022, which will increase the Wi-Fi coverage from 31 percent to 100 percent in key public and residential areas, The Korea Herald reported.
The available spots will span 326 sq km, including areas such as parks, parking lots and recreational sites. It plans to start with public areas such as bus stops and public transportation system. Seoul first rolled out its public Wi-Fi network in 2011.
The move to expand the city’s Wi-Fi coverage is part of a 102.7 billion-won (US$859 million) plan to build a smart network that encompasses Wi-Fi and internet of things (IoT) technology.
Nearly half the budget will has been allocated to expanding the public Wi-Fi network, while the remaining 52% will be used to build wired and wireless telecommunications infrastructure and develop IoT technology.
The plan is expected to enable services such as smart parking services and safety services for the elderly.