One of the first municipalities to create its own wireless network for residents hopes to offer voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services soon.
The Knysna municipality, in the Western Cape, aims to offer its residents free VOIP calls to emergency services as of October.
In the latest phase of the local municipality's digital network roll-out, at least 30 payphone vendors are to be identified to offer the service to the community.
Knysna already offers free Internet access at two clinics, 11 schools, 15 public service offices, such as police stations and libraries, as well as 180 additional hotspots, in partnership with Internet service provider Uninet.
As of October, the unlimited Internet use residents have been enjoying at hotspots will be limited to 45 minutes per day, but will still be free, says Isabel Nel, Knysna municipality IT manager. Only once the allocated 45 minutes are used up, will customers be charged for Internet services.
Nel says she does not know of any other local municipality that is offering the same kind of digital services to its residents.
Western Cape MEC for environment, planning and economic development Tasneem Essop recently praised Knysna's initiative in setting up a wireless network to deliver government services and offer cheap connectivity.
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