Colombian municipally owned company Empresas Municipales de Cali (Emcali) is investing U.S.$460,000 to expand public Wi-Fi throughout the city of Cali. According to the company, 140 more cells will be installed in the coming days to provide free Internet access in parks, squares and other public places in the city.
Follow RCR Wireless News—Americas on Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our free periodic newsletters
In addition, Emcali will install 60 UMTS cells to provide service to broadband Internet customers while also increasing coverage. Wi-Fi hotspots are already available in commercial centers and some public institutions; the company now aims to cover parks and leisure areas as well.
The Wi-Fi expansion is part of Emcali’s plan to increase coverage and ensure free Internet access for all Cali residents. “The 200 cells in total will cover all the public sites in the city,” Emcali’s Eugenio Castro told RCR Wireless News.
In July, Emcali was granted a concession and license to provide subscription TV service. With this license, Emcali will join the so-called “triple play” service market, which includes telephony, broadband and subscription television under an IPTV model.
Based in Cali, Emcali already provides water, telecommunications and electricity services.
