Sydney Wi-Fi Project

The NSW Government says it is on track to roll out a free wireless broadband network across the Sydney CBD and other major centres.
The Government was in the final stages of selecting the supplier that will build the network, which in addition to the Sydney CBD will cover North Sydney, Paramatta, Penrith, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wollongong and Gosford.
Free wireless hotspots already exist on a smaller scale in various restaurants, cafes and public buildings, but the NSW Government's plan, if successful, would allow people to roam freely around the city while maintaining their connection to the internet.
"Evaluation of the 15 proposals received in response to the Expression of Interest has gone well and is in its final approval stage by the Department of Commerce"
"The proposals were both promising and diverse."
Telstra, Optus, Unwired Australia and Nortel Networks are among the 15 companies that formally expressed an interest in building the network.
In March, the Government said it would make an announcement regarding the initiative by the end of June, but this did not occur.
The Government would be in a position to announce the chosen supplier "shortly".

The Premier, Morris Iemma, first announced the free broadband initiative in November last year, claiming it would boost the NSW economy by making it more attractive to businesses.
"Tourists and business visitors, now accustomed to this type of technology in other global cities such as San Francisco and Paris, will have improved email and internet access,"