Knysna Municipality has been experimenting with wireless technology within the municipal network for more than two years and is well positioned to establish a municipal area network "Hotspot", following the trend in USA and Europe.

What is Wireless?
Wireless technology has developed into a sophisticated network alternative to the traditional wired network, i.e. as an alternative to data over copper or fibre optic cables. The technology has also extended itself to allow both video and voice transmissions. This means in all ways wireless is an inexpensive alternative to the creation of a wired network environment. The minimal infrastructure required to set up a wireless wide area network lends itself to support the expansion of electronic services such as voice (telephone) and data (internet) within areas where currently little or no infrastructure exists, e.g. Masifunde.

What is a Hotspot?
The term "Hotspot" means that within the vicinity of a wireless access point people would be able to swiftly, freely and effortlessly connect their computers to the Internet or local Knysna Intranet. No wires, modems or connection devices other than a wireless radio card in the computer and perhaps a desktop antenna would be required. The "Hotspot" could also encompass the use of wireless telephony and video conferencing with the required equipment.

What's in wireless for local residents?

As the telecoms industry in South Africa continues its rapid advance, the country may soon bloom with "hotspots" , enabling thousands of citizens to access the Internet and other voice/data technologies at reduced cost.
Knysna hopes to go "wireless" as soon as it is legally and technologically possible, and feasibility studies are underway. This could possibly include Knysna forming strategic partnerships with Telkom and other service providers.

Internet Access
All public schools must be Internet enabled by 2014 in terms of the Department of Education's policy. The creation of a wireless network covering the Knysna municipal area would mean all schools, where Internet equipment has been made available, would be able to immediately connect to and utilise the Internet.

Communications
Disadvantaged areas would be able to utilise wireless "telephones" bringing communication to areas where little or no communication infrastructure exists.

Information
Ward committees and community centers would be able to connect to the Internet or the Knysna local Intranet.

Learning centres
Libraries within the Knysna municipal area could be able to offer first world learning center facilities to their communities.
For residents, the minimal costs of creating the Municipal "Hotspot" would allow the council to consider offering free Internet access to all of its residents. The residents would be responsible for the procurement of a radio card and possibly a desktop aerial at approximately R700.
Scholars could make use of the Internet as a resource and to support them in distance learning.
Businesses would be able to access the Internet through the "Hotspot", set up virtual private networks without the need for wired network infrastructure, and could have in-house security cameras installed without the need for a wired network.
Conferencing and training venues would have an opportunity to increase revenue and draw additional clients by being able to offer wireless facilities like Internet access, video conferencing and a virtual private network to their delegates.
Restaurants and coffee shops could offer an Internet access service at no extra charge for clients using laptops .
As is the case in America and Europe, local tourist "Hotspots" could be created allowing free Internet access. This would be a marketing and selling differentiation against other tourist centers in South Africa.
A wireless camera network could be set up for town security monitoring at a fraction of the cost of regular CCTV networks. External cameras could monitor specific problem areas such as traffic lights or high crime areas.