According to the National Capital Commission (NCC), major landmarks throughout the downtown core of Ottawa will be transformed into Wi-Fi hotspots by mid-August. The list of locations includes venues such as Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park, the National War Museum, Jacques Cartier Park as well as the famed National Gallery of Canada.
The agreement marks the second such attempt at bringing a more interactive and mobile tourism experience to the city that is visited by millions annually. Vancouver’s SurfSpot Media Inc., the firm that has won the rights to the contract will place antennas on roofs and other edifices to control costs. Guides will also roam in tourist-heavy areas wielding tablets and serving as information centres and tour guide for interested parties.
The internet access would also serve to allow a venue for local tourism entities to advertise themselves to the city’s guests, along with content regarding local restaurants, festivals and other things that would be of interest to tourists visiting Canada’s capital region. Currently, the NCC is also involved in early stage discussions regarding possible mobile apps that provide guided tours for buildings and landmarks that fall within the Wi-Fi zones.
According to the Wi-Fi proposal set out by the city, the hotspots would have to be able to accommodate 500 individuals at a time. The rollout is expected to commence in the early summer months and be in full effect come mid-August.
The move shows foresight and progress for the city that has been voted as the Best Canadian City to Live in by MoneySense magazine three years running.
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