{"id":2201,"date":"2011-11-11T06:50:44","date_gmt":"2011-11-11T11:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=2201"},"modified":"2011-11-11T07:42:11","modified_gmt":"2011-11-11T12:42:11","slug":"from-bus-stop-to-rum-shop-has-barbados%e2%80%99-wi-fi-project-been-a-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2011\/11\/from-bus-stop-to-rum-shop-has-barbados%e2%80%99-wi-fi-project-been-a-success\/","title":{"rendered":"From bus stop to rum shop: has Barbados\u2019 Wi-Fi project been a success?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a follow on from our earlier posts on Barbados\u2019 intention to have free Wi-Fi across the entire island by 11-11-11. We examine the progress to date.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In November 2010, the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation (BEF) <\/a>promised to realise 100% island-wide Wi-Fi coverage \u2013 from bus stop to rum shop \u2013 by 11\u00a0November 2011. Implementation relied on the local businesses with Internet connectivity to configure their internal networks to include guest networks allowing free wireless Internet access.<\/p>\n

It is now a year since the BEF\u2019s initial announcement. \u201cHow has the project (dubbed 11.11.11 ON) fared?\u201d We have been tracking this project since its announcement in mainstream newspapers earlier this year, so we will be answering that question, and providing some insight into its impact.<\/p>\n

Has 100% Wi-Fi coverage been achieved?<\/h3>\n

The short answer is no. Based on the data supplied by the BEF, around 25% geographic coverage has been realised. However, based on the distribution of the population in Barbados, where over two-thirds of its residents live in the west and southern parts of the island, Wi-Fi covers well over 50% of the population (Figure 1). Additionally, the areas of heavy commercial activity, which again are in west and south, including the capital, Bridgetown, are the ones with a heavy concentration of Wi-Fi hotspots. It therefore means that persons on the go in those areas will likelyto be able to maintain near continuous Internet connectivity<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Figure 1: Distribution of free Wi-Fi Hotspots in Barbados as at 11 November 2011 (Source BEF)<\/p><\/div>\n

Although there are those who might be dissatisfied by the progress made to date in Wi-Fi roll out, it is important to note that this project, although announced a year ago, only began implementation in earnest almost five months later. During that time, a variety of strategies were being explored, most of which were eventually abandoned. Further, as with many new programmes, initially, there was some hesitation to participate, until a few well-regarded businesses became involved and could attest on the experience.<\/p>\n

Have any benefits been realised?<\/h3>\n

In Barbados, reports are \u2013 thanks to this Wi-Fi initiative \u2013 that the business community is becoming more energised, and are beginning to appreciate the impact of providing this service. The IT\/tech community has also been quite supportive, and is beginning to see new opportunities resulting from the project. Additionally, persons in the hospitality industry have indicated that the availability of free Wi-Fi is highly welcomed by their guests, which not only improves their overall experience and general level of contentment, but has also enhanced country\u2019s tourism product.<\/p>\n

However, across the wider business community, there is no noticeable change in how this new level of connectivity is used for marketing and promotion. One possible reason for this might just be the general novelty of free public Internet access, where everyone is just thrilled to have the service, but have not yet fully appreciated the fact that it is a tool to be harnessed. As discussed in our post, 6 ways your business can benefit from offering free Wi-Fi<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, there are a number of benefits to be derived from offering free Wi-Fi, including<\/p>\n