Sint-Katelijne-Waver is first Belgian town with free wifi

The municipality of Sint-Katelijne-Waver, in Antwerp province, is Belgium's first town to offer free wireless internet to the public. The municipality worked together with Wireless Belgium for the initiative, an association of IT professionals.

Free internet access is guaranteed throughout Sint-Katelijne-Waver by a network of four antennas. Anyone within 200-300 metres of a hotspot antenna can surf for free with a laptop or smartphone at a speed of 4 Mbps. The cost of the service is covered by companies that in return get faster access to online services.

Internet providers Telenet and Belgacom are reportedly unconcerned by the news, stating that the free wifi is more something for tourists than for residents.