Street Snares Surfers In Free Wireless Net

Newcastle Herald

Saturday July 7, 2007

By INGRID BOWN

WIRELESS broadband internet is now on the house for latte sippers, workers, shoppers and some lucky residents of Beaumont Street, Hamilton.

Hailed as the first operation of its kind in Australia to be set up and funded by local businesspeople, the network is up and running from the Hamilton Station Hotel to the Exchange Hotel.

It is part of a marketing campaign to draw people to the shopping strip and is the brainchild of the Hamilton Business District Committee, which has picked up the $25,000 set-up tab.

Sponsorship on the wireless network's home page is covering the approximately $800-a-month running costs, and committee members hope it will generate enough profit to recoup the cost of infrastructure, including installation of antennae and a control unit.

Minister for the Hunter and Infrastructure Michael Costa launched the network, which has trumped his own Government's plans for free wireless broadband in Newcastle.

The Government announced in November it would fund a service in the Newcastle CBD as one of seven centres in NSW identified in its innovation strategy.

Mr Costa said yesterday the program would start in Sydney, where a tender process was under way, and regional centres like Newcastle would follow.

He could not give a precise time frame, but said it would be in the next two to three years.

Hamilton Business District Committee vice-president Lindsay Parker said wireless internet would become integral for businesses and residents and the service would be a drawcard for the area.

Beaumont Street cafe owner Janet Della-Grotta said she had already reaped the rewards of the network, which began operating on a limited scale about nine months ago.

"It brings more young people in and makes the place more friendly and approachable," she said.

Bill Kroon, 20, of Wallsend, said the network was a significant attraction.

"We come to Hamilton with friends and we're on the internet all the time so to come and have coffee and read the online news would be great," he said.

The speed of the broadband is 11 megabytes a second.

The network would be expanded and improved to keep pace with technology, Mr Parker said.

HOW IT WORKS

1 Start your computer and ensure the

wireless device is enabled.

2 Look for Wireless@Beaumont Street in

the computer's list of available networks,

and select it.

3 Launch your web browser - the Hamilton

screen will automatically appear.

4 Read the terms and conditions of use

and click 'I Agree'.

5 You will then be redirected and connected

to www.hamiltontown.com.au

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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