Free Wi-Fi in Hawera CBD

Hawera – the ‘breath of fire’, certainly has a history of being a hotspot! Well now it can add digital hotspot to that reputation.

Hotspot Hawera, free Wi-Fi throughout the town CBD was officially launched on Saturday 22 July.

Bizlink Hawera Chairman, Gary Brown, says the free Wi-Fi initiative is a joint effort between Bizlink Hawera (the Hawera Business Association), the Hawera Community Board and PrimoWireless.

“The idea came from a partnership between PrimoWireless and 4U Computer Solutions. They approached Bizlink about the concept of free Wi-Fi throughout the CBD and, along with the Hawera Community Board, we ran with it,” says Brown.

“Free Wi-Fi will provide another service to customers and visitors to our town and offer further reason to stop and spend some time in the Hawera CBD,” he says.

The free Wi-Fi service runs along High Street from the I-Site Visitor Information Centre to Subway on the corner of High and Wilson Street, with a range of around 100 metres in either direction. All you have to do is connect to ‘FreePrimoWireless’ on your mobile, there are no annoying codes or passwords to enter.

Brown says to get the necessary coverage along High Street PrimoWireless installed a number of Wi-Fi hotspots at eight locations (Welsh McCarthy, Harris & Taylor Chartered Accountants, PrimoWireless, Te Aroha Hohaia and Greg van Paassen, Bizlink Hawera, 4U Computer Solutions, First National Mills and Gibbon and Subway Hawera).

Hunter Gatherer, Kelly Ellis says PrimoWireless will operate the hotspots and provide ongoing technical support, maintenance and data usage.

“This will provide a safe environment for the businesses involved, enables them to use multiple devices themselves, whilst supporting the free Wi-Fi network for CBD visitors and customers” she says.

Hawera Community Board chair, Celine Filbee, says it was an obvious decision for the Community Board to support the project. “Being digitally engaged is essential for any business and people expect this sort of service in today’s modern society,” she says.

Hawera really is a hotspot at the moment with numerous building projects taking shape - the future is looking very exciting.

ENDS

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