A ‘Smart Bridgetown’, involving free Internet access, computer-controlled parking and a mobile guide for tourists, is “a few months away”, the Minister for Smart Technology has declared.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology Senator Kay McConney told the Senate: “There will be three basic aspects of our Smart Bridgetown. First, it is free access for internet access for Bridgetown.
“Second is smart parking on streets adjoining Broad Street and the third the mobile app that will facilitate tourism engagement.
“I heard others say there is a need for us to engage tourists in a meaningful way especially those coming out of the port.”
The Senator explained that the process will not only take time but money.
She said: “To provide free wifi for a City is expensive.
“However, we are committed we have determine that we will design and build in adequate capacity to ensure that there is a good user experience.
“As you know if there isn’t a good user capacity what happens is when you log on it takes too long and you get logged off.
“So we are taking our time to design and build a network where we believe it is working for the capacity we expect to have here in Bridgetown.
“Persons, through that wifi, will have access to basic services they will be able to browse, watch videos, access their emails and be on social media.”
On smart parking, she said the ministry is working in conjunction with two other Government departments.
Senator McConney explained: “There will be sensors and geo tagging for the parking spots in town.
“You will be able to detect where the free parking spots are.
“We have started working with the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Lands and Surveys Department and together we have identified those streets in Bridgetown where the first pilot of the small parking will begin.
“We have mapped out the area that will be the first area for coverage.”
McConney said the mobile app was being developed by the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA).
“The Barbados Tourism Product Authority has already started its work on a mobile app that using the free wifi and active mobile will be able to add value to the experience of the tourists who are connected to the system.
“We are moving to create hot spots [in an] area where you have very high speed access green spaces and you can create social interaction in those areas.”
The Minister said the work being done in Bridgetown is all part of Government’s bigger plan to make Barbados a smart country.
McConney said Government is committed to providing universal access to a minimum threshold of high-speed broadband internet as a means of powering the new national digital economy smart cities and smart Barbados.
“We have to build out the Smart Barbados in phases and we wanted to start with our capital city.”
I haven’t heard anything in her statement to suggest that this new technology will benefit the average citizen of Barbados … all I have heard is how it will benefit the tourists … Wuunah need to find another source of foreign exchange and stop relying so heavily on tourism… Another Minister has suggested on a blog here as to how he wishes to cater to the visdually impaired tourists ( tap into that market like there is a market to be tap into) …not one word as to how this new sensory technology will benefit the practical Bajan …
Wunnah need to convince the people of Barbados that wunnah are forward thinkers, and thus I am not impress because I have seen a new idea that will move the island to the next level…
These ppl might be crazy.. Let me know when I can pay government online.
Do we need free WiFi in Bridgetown? As every tourist who travels the world knows, if you want WiFi you go into a cafe or bar, BUY a drink or something to eat and then ask for the WiFi code. I see no reason why we need to provide FREE WiFi.
This entire government is politically clueless, intellectually bankrupt and void of any real ideas move this country forward.
Sadly, Moody’s nor Standard and Poor’s are not in the business of offerring growth strategies. They provide support mechanisms to help the IMF extract from borrowing states the monies loaned along with interest.
What we have witness from this BLP government after a year in office is the ultimate test in their political ability – the very best they combine intellectual capacity can offer.
Heaven help us all.
It will be very expensive she said…. Tourist can get WiFi on the ship and elsewhere in patronizing the local business why are we playing big fashion on one hand the country is broke and can’t pay debts and on the other hand spending what we claim we don’t have on tourist we confuse …. Homedrum beats first fix us tourist just pass through
How about removing the legal red tape for allowing settlement for merchant accounts via ecommerce platforms. We need more foreign exchange coming in!!!!
Sensors and geo tagging for the parking spots in town, open wunna ears the days of free parking in Bridgetown are now on the countdown clock…parking metres are next..no government will waste money on smart sensors for nothing
I wuh like to know where the green spaces in Bridgetown are
Man wonna was talking about free WiFi in Bridgetown for yrs yet d only place I know u can get it free is Cave Shepherd….the truth is, no one in Bim should have to pay for WiFi, it should be free to everyone….just saying
The money you are going to invest in building a WIFI network, that will need support and maintenance which the government is not really good at. Why not give the money to Flow and Digicel and have them give the Barbadian and visitors affordable data plans that all can connect with their smartphones and enjoy a Truly Smart Barbados.