Case Study

Wireless Waterfront (Hobart, Tasmania)
Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Network & Tourism Content Portal

Challenged with the task of creating a network of wireless hotspots around Hobart's historic Salamanca Place waterfront tourist precinct Tasmanian wireless data and communications solutions company Tasmanet turned to the powerful hotspot management features of Geelong-based Duxtel's DuxCommander software solution.

The vibrant Salamance Place precinct is an essential destination on the itinerary of every visitor to Australia's most southerly capital.

Overlooking the picturesque Sullivans Cove the precinct combines an abundance of fine dining and entertainment options with a significant cultural attractions culminating in the famous weekly Salamanca market featuring quality art and craft from artisans across the State.

Recognising the opportunity to position the city at the forefront of technological innovation through the wireless delivery of tailored tourism information and Internet access the State Government turned to the Tasmanian Electronic Commerce Centre (TECC) to manage the initiative.

TECC engaged Tasmanian-owned data and communications solutions company Tasmanet to roll-out the 'Wireless Waterfront' project. Tasmanet has long relied on Duxtel's DuxCommander software for the management and billing of a rapidly growing residential wireless broadband customer base clamouring for reliable high-speed Internet access in a State poorly served by ADSL and cable services.

The integrated hotspot management features of DuxCommander enabled Tasmanet to confidently undertake the Hobart Waterfront project with the knowledge that the deployment and ongoing management could be undertaken with the powerful and familiar DuxCommander framework.

DuxCommander provides:

  • central administration of multiple hotspot cluster
  • an integrated payment gateway for online access sales
  • a managed solution with included support
  • advanced customer usage logging and access reporting including visitor tracking

Visitors to waterfront enjoy access to a seamless cloud of wireless Internet access created by integrating around a dozen wireless access points to create a wireless footprint that encompasses Princes Wharf No.1 shed, Salamanca Square, Parliament gardens and Salamanca Place itself.

Limited free internet access is available and through a simple login process users can purchase full Internet access. Location-based advertising provides additional incentive and revenue allowing local businesses to advertise the availability of their services to users logged into nearby hotspots.

For the Tasmanian Electronic Commerce Centre the solution exceeded the original project deliverables by providing the opportunity for visitor tracking, usage reporting and the capacity to deliver portable/roaming access throughout the Tasmania.

For visitors the system enhances their experience of the waterfront via the customised delivery of timely information about the rich variety of educational, tourism, entertainment, dining and cultural events that occur amongst the historic sandstone warehouses and plane trees of Salamanca Place.

 

 

 

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