HCM City targets providing free wi-fi to 100,000 workers by 2019

The department is working with South Saigon Development Corporation (SADECO), Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Vinatech Technology and Communication Company Limited (Vinatech) to create around 1,000 free wi-fi access points for the workers at their living accommodations this year, with equal wi-fi coverage across all areas.

The two-phase project began early this year, with access points created for 10,000 workers in District 7 and Thu Duc District.

From December 18 this year to June 2019, more access points will be launched to serve a total of 100,000 workers. Each access point can serve around 10 users.

Along with a bandwidth of 35Mbps, the expected link speed will reach a minimum of 20Mbps/3Mbps for two-way downloading and uploading of data from the internet.

Le Quoc Cuong, deputy director of the Department of Information and Communications, said: “Providing free wi-fi for workers can improve their life and work.”

HCM City has 10 industrial parks and three export processing zones, with a total number of workers ranging from 300,000 to 500,000, according to a report from HCM City Institute of Development Studies.

Of these, 70 per cent are workers from other provinces and cities, mostly consisting of young adults with low to medium income who lack adequate opportunities to satisfy their entertainment needs.

For entertainment and relaxation after work, they typically rely on mass media such as TV, radio and the internet.