Telstra has today switched on more than 40 Wi-Fi hotspots across Tasmania in a joint partnership with the Tasmanian Government.

Telstra Head of Wi-Fi Neil Louis, said the partnership with the Tasmanian Government will provide free Wi-Fi to locals and tourists at some of Tasmania’s busiest and most iconic locations and expands the Telstra Air network.

“This free service will provide locals with Wi-Fi at Telstra payphone sites, council parks and civic spaces around Tasmania,” Mr Louis said.

“This partnership involves rolling out more than 150 Wi-Fi hotspots across 47 locations in Tasmania. This will deliver Wi-Fi coverage to places like Cradle Mountain and Launceston Airport as well as commercial precincts including the Seaport precinct in Launceston and Elizabeth St Waterfront in Hobart.

“Wi-Fi sessions will not be limited by data; rather people will be able to use 30 minutes per device per day at each location for free. Telstra Air Members will be able to use their home broadband data allowance at hotspots with no time restrictions.

“Tasmanian’s will be able to use the network to send emails, upload photos and browse the internet when they are sitting in a cafe, at a bus stop or in a shopping mall.”

Mr Louis said the opportunities go beyond connecting people.

“The availability of Wi-Fi means locals and tourists can connect and share experiences online as well as allowing businesses to benefit by attracting and retaining visitors to their locations,” Mr Louis said.

The network launched in December last year at Bridport. We have already seen significant use of the Wi-Fi network in Tasmania, with locals and Telstra Air Members using almost two terabytes of data. This is equivalent to more than 2000 downloaded movies.

Telstra Air is Australia’s largest Wi-Fi network and gives Telstra home broadband customers the ability to use their broadband allowance at thousands of hotspots in Australia and millions of hotspots overseas. Telstra is partnering with councils and retailers to bring Telstra Air and access to fast, reliable Wi-Fi to community spaces across the nation.

To login users can look for the Tasmania Free Wi-Fi signs in the city and in parks. Telstra customers can find out more about Telstra Air at: Telstra.com/air.