How to use free WiFi Internet on Rundle Mall

• Author: johnnymestizo
• Filed under: Australiana, Gadgets & Technology
• Date: Jan 11,2008
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Nothing better than being back home in Adelaide, shopping on Rundle Mall, sipping a hot coffee and checking emails a.k.a. blogging…

Strolling up and down the main shopping strip in Adelaide showing my girlfriend what Adelaide has to offer. The shops are busy with business as usual and not a cloud in the sky. We seem to have accumulated several bags at each side already so it’s time for a break.

We pull into Starbucks and I ask can I use your WiFi. The last time I did this I was in Kowloon and you connect for free - no worries. But here in Australian Starbucks you have to use Telstra. Even my beloved Borders bookstore has fallen for this high-priced WiFi alliance. Now I’m not really a huge fan of Telstra but I’ll check the pricing.

What the hell. If you connect for a 30 minutes you’ll fork out $6.25 (obviously you’ll pay by credit card so it’s actually $8). Day Pass $27.50 but wait there’s more if you’re a BigPond customer and have activate HotSpot usage you can pay $5 (first 15 min) and 20c every minute after. This is expensive no matter how fast they say it is. Today I said a resounding ‘No‘ to Telstra.

You’re on Rundle Mall and want to use the net? Use the Adelaide City Council Citilan. It is a large network setup by the Adelaide City Council to improve South Australia’s IT reputation, draw a younger crowd into the city and improve mobility for city workers. They partnered with Internode, AirNet, m.Net and Cisco. Strong access is also provided along Rundle Street, North Terrace, Grenfell Street, Hutt Street and North Adelaide.

The main thing you need to access the citilan is a login to an account from the ISP Internode or AirNet. Luckily, Internode allows a guest account to be created for web browsing only (the guest account closes ports used for other applications). Technically speaking, your laptop should have 802.11b wireless networking built-in which is the standard required to use WiFi so if not buy a cheap PC Card. Get the latest browser and you’re right to go!

In fact any of these Internode HotSpot locations, which include many beach cafes and the Adelaide Airport, will get you the net. For help check the Whirlpool forums for timely and relevant advice, or call Internode (13 NODE).

All in all Adelaide is providing the goods for my blogging escapades to continue. Thanks for the average coffee Mr. Starbucks and exorbitant WiFi rates Mr. Telstra. Next time I think I’ll be going to Cibo’s for a coffee.

© 2008 John Forfar

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As a netizen I am considering myself lucky to be in Adelaide. See the article Dublin city council cancels free citywide WiFi: “Illegal under Euro law 09-JAN-2008 for a quick update on the Dublin WiFi struggle.