The city of Helsinki has been building a free wireless Internet network since August. The WLAN network, also known as Wi-Fi, gives fast Internet access to anybody with a laptop with a WLAN card. Helsinki will install between 60 and 70 base stations covering most of the city’s central areas both indoors and outdoors. Also Helsinki Areena will be covered for the need of next May’s Eurovision final.
At the moment 20 of City of Helsinki ‘s libraries have a network called Stadinetti, which requires the user to have a Helsinki Metropolitan Area (HelMet) library card with a PIN code. However, the use of the the other base stations will not require registration or a PIN code. Helsingin Sanomat
The biggest daily paper Helsingin Sanomat tested the network and found it worked well in much of the city centre. The published map shows all the spots where the connection worked.
There are already several other free WLAN connections also available to residents and visitors of Helsinki.
The Esplanadi Park, covered by two free Wi-Fi networks
Photos: Juha Repo