Free-of-charge Wi-Fi services are now reportedly available in the main city area of Hangzhou.
Wu Lihui, general manager for wireless planning department of Wasu Digital TV, explained that at present, there are two types of Wi-Fi services provided to citizens and tourists in Hangzhou. For users who use mobile phones to access the wireless Internet, they need to enter their mobile phone numbers for registration after searching and accessing the wireless Internet signal named Air-WASU. For tablet and laptop users, they need to first search and access the wireless Internet and click to watch a 15-second advertisement, which enables them to gain 15 minutes of free access to the Internet. After the 15 minutes, they need to watch another advertisement to gain another 15 minutes.
Hangzhou's free Wi-Fi services have covered the six districts in the main city. In addition, some important areas like the West Lake area, railway stations, bus stations, stadium, convention and exhibition centers, and some professional markets are included in the deployment. A total of about 3,500 base stations will serve the project.
Wasu Digital TV is a national new media and Internet operator invested by Hangzhou Culture Broadcasting Group and Radio and Television Group of Zhejiang. It deploys Wi-Fi hot spots in Hangzhou, with about two-thirds in outdoor venues. For the next step, the company plans to focus more on indoor wireless network construction, covering restaurants and hotel lobbies.