Roll out, don’t roll over
Wednesday June 08 2011 | 12:44 AM

IF you are still out of the loop, there is an ongoing lobby for the implementation of 100% free WiFi by the Barbados Entrepreneurial Foundation (BEF).

Through http://www.wifispottr.com one can see various WiFi zones popping up along the west and south coast.

It seems to be no longer a mission of the BEF, but also of individual organisations and persons. That said, the recent announcements of 4G roll out carries with it in some circles the expressed and implied statement that it supersedes the free WiFi project, thus eliminating the need to continue lobbying for it. However, according to Melanie Jones, one of the BEF Directors, “we don’t subscribe to those suggestions!”

In an interview with the Barbados Advocate, Jones argued that though the 4G model is certainly wonderful, particular compared to the availability and speeds of other bandwidths we have now, certain people would still be excluded. “We believe that Internet connectivity should be accessible to everyone, irrespective of their … socio-economic position… The ability to connect via the Internet should be everybody’s basic right. It should not be connected to … your financial position or even your geographical location [for that matter].

Jones stressed that with their proposal to WiFi, the access to Internet must be and will be free, “free WiFi at the information access and communication’s level,” she said. She added that there are a preponderance of devices with WiFi functionality, which makes its reach more extensive and accessible to persons. Anything less, she stated, “contributes to the digital divide that is developing”.

Of course, the question that is always at the forefront of our minds is, “Who will foot the bill of what others get for free?”

When asked about the general response from corporate Barbados, Melanie Jones was delighted to share that there is growing interest from business associations and that the BEF had several opportunities to speak with persons to educate them about the mission. 

Jones, who is also a partner in the law firm LEX Caribbean – one the companies which has agreed to share their WiFi – said that they are seeing a trend that is going across various sectors and there is a willingness to buy into the project. Such companies include Bouganvilla Beach Resort from the hospitality sector and Mckinney Rogers from the professional services sector. One offshore bank was also mentioned and Jones indicated that several cafes are responsive as well. 

With regards to the issues of technological infrastructure and information system security, Jones admitted that this is the major concern for organisations interested. However, she stated that they are several tech- 
consultants on board with the BEF mission who are willing to offer their services and expertise. 

Apart from this, she also indicated that over the next few months the Foundation is seeking to recruit volunteers whose only purpose will be to go around to businesses and lobby for them to do consider becoming a WiFi host, all the while providing details about the technological implications and helping them to understanding how it can be done.

The BEF director is adamant that it is narrow minded to view this particular mission as a threat to telecom providers, adding that “once you give people WiFi at a certain level and you educate [them] so that its fully penetrative, there will be a hunger for more bandwidth”. 

“Create the recognition that they can develop and prosper through the use of free WiFi,” she urged.

When questioned about the likelihood of the mission being completed by the proposed deadline of November 11, Jones told the Barbados Advocate that they are on target simply because “it will require gargantuan efforts to provide WiFi access for everyone around the island... but we are willing to put in gargantuan efforts”.