Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HKBN) announced plans to roll out a Wi-Fi network in the city that the public can use for free or at low cost.
HKBN said as part of the plan, it has acquired Y5ZONE Limited, the largest Wi-Fi wholesaler in Hong Kong which serves most major mobile and telecom operators.
“Wi-Fi should be everywhere, superfast and free of charge. Our vision is to build a world-class Wi-Fi infrastructure for the home. People should be able to use Wi-Fi extensively across Hong Kong at a very low cost or for free,” said William Yeung, CEO of HKBN.
HKBN said it also plans to invest HK$200 million ($25.7 million) in the network expansion plan. The company said it aims to more than double its current Wi-Fi coverage from 7,000 hotspots to 15,000 hotspots in the next 12 to 18 months. It will also upgrade its existing technology to boost capacity and performance and improve bandwidth.
HKBN’s current Wi-Fi network covers strategic locations across Hong Kong such as shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, department stores, and universities.