Free Wi-Fi internet has been set up in Downtown Mount Maunganui through a partnership between Mount Mainstreet and local service provider EOL.

The public can now access free Wi-Fi outside the Mount Mainstreet office located in the Phoenix car park.

Downtown Mount has free Wi-Fi

"Establishing a comprehensive public Wi-Fi network will allow people to connect to the internet using their smart phones or other devices whenever they visit the Mount, which will be of benefit to both locals and visitors," says EOL managing director Terry Coles.

EOL's network of sophisticated wireless transmitters is the only Wi-Fi technology in New Zealand capable of creating a seamless zone, unlike traditional Wi-Fi hotspots, says Terry.

Most cities in New Zealand provide Wi-Fi hotspots in certain locations which typically have a 15m range indoors and 50m range outdoors.

'The other big difference is that most Wi-Fi hotspots run at only 1-2 Mbps, whereas our Wi-Fi zones provide up to 20Mbps speed depending on the size of the mobile device being used and its distance from the access point,” says Terry.

'EOL has provided free public internet access in Tauranga's CBD and Mt Camping Ground for the past 18 months, and more recently beach areas from Pilot Bay around to Marine Parade, and we are pleased that people can now enjoy continuous internet access when they're out and about across the CBD and now Downtown Mount Maunganui.” Mount Mainstreet Manager Leanne Brown is delighted with the new service.

"It will be a significant draw card to keep visitors in the shopping area, as well as provide international tourists, including cruise ship passengers and crew, with free Wi-Fi, just as you would experience in any iconic tourist destination across the globe." EOL Wi-Fi provides 50MB of data per device free of charge every day, plus there is a paid service option which costs $10 for a one day pass (or 150MB limit). Five other passes offering different time limits and data caps are also available, with a maximum 30 day pass (or 2GB) costing $50. To connect to EOL's new Wi-Fi zones in Downtown the Mount, simply look for the network ID ‘EOL_Public_Wi-Fi” on your mobile device.

'Once you've connected successfully the first time, your device will automatically connect you every time you're in range, anywhere on our network.”