Concerns were raised by a resident of Nadera on whether the free WiFi hot-spots that are being made available in certain areas around the country have internet restrictions on certain sites that maybe harmful to our children.

This was a question posed to the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum by a General Practitioner, Shanita Sen at the National Budget Roadshow at Rishikul Sanatan College last night.

Sayed-Khaiyum says that at the moment there are no restrictions, as government does not have the provision to block any site that people may go to adding that there are certain sites that are blocked in Fiji.         

The Attorney General adds that it would come down to relying on people’s sense of what is morally correct and teaching our young people values as there are no restrictions at the moment.

The first free WiFi connection hotspot was launched at Sukuna Park on the 22nd of last month.

Sayed-Khaiyum had earlier highlighted that this program will shortly be made available in every other main park in the country.

As announced in the 2018‑2019 National Budget, these areas include My Suva Park, Sukuna Park, Sigatoka Bus Stand, Koroivolu Park in Nadi, Shirley Park in Lautoka, Ba Bus Stand, Korovou Market, Syria Park in Nausori, Labasa Civic Centre and Savusavu Market.

$40 million has been allocated to the ICT sector for increased speed in public Wifi hot spots in Fiji.

This allocation will also allow for the installation of free high speed Wifi hot spots for all Fiji National University campuses in Fiji.