Accessing data while on the move is still quite the expensive proposition, but being able to surf the net while out shopping can be beneficial in getting more information about the product you’re looking for (as well as price-checking), so what are you to do? Well, Optus has today announced that they have partnered with Scentre Group to offer Wi-Fi access at a number of Westfield shopping centres across Australia.
The idea is based from research conducted last year at Westfield Miranda, NSW and Westfield Garden City, QLD, which found that shoppers with access to data in those test sites stayed 12% longer than those who had no access. Shoppers in selected Westfield centres will now be offered ‘up to 1GB of data free for a 3 hour period each day’, which will be accessible throughout the entire shopping centre.
The Westfield WiFi service, with data provided by Optus, will be rolled out to 21 sites in 2015, with additional upgrades being performed to the existing Wi-Fi service at Westfield Sydney, NSW, Westfield Fountain Gate, VIC and Westfield Carindale, QLD. Once these centres have been updated there are plans to push the service to further sites in 2016. The 21 sites that will see the update include :
Westfield Belconnen, ACT
Westfield Bondi Junction, NSW
Westfield Burwood, NSW
Westfield Carousel, WA
Westfield Chatswood, NSW
Westfield Chermside, QLD
Westfield Garden City, QLD – completed
Westfield Hornsby, NSW
Westfield Innaloo, WA
Westfield Kotara, NSW
Westfield Tuggerah, NSW
Westfield Liverpool, NSW
Westfield Southland, VIC
Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, SA
Westfield Warringah, NSW
Westfield Miranda, NSW – completed
Westfield Parramatta, NSW
Westfield Whitford City, WA
Westfield Geelong, VIC
Westfield Helensvale, QLD
Westfield Sydney – Myer side, NSW
If you’re in the area and see the new Wi-Fi service sing out and let us know how it goes.
