TY  - CHAP
AB  - Purpose In 2014, the city of São Paulo began to implement the public policy “WiFi Livre SP.” This policy created the infrastructure for a WiFi network providing unrestricted internet connectivity in a 120 public squares, distributed in 5 geographical regions of the city (center, south, north, east, and west). In order to monitor the effectiveness of this public policy, a series of surveys were administered to users. The survey ascertained their views about the quality and frequency of the signal in the public squares.Methodology/approach To carry out analysis of this service a survey was used. The researchers camped out in the squares and flagged people down asking whether they could participate in the survey. Data was collected between August and October 2015, using an application for tablets developed by the research team.Findings The data showed that the networks functioned effectively and provided good service to the users. Another positive factor is the good signal evaluation in the public squares, since it was an initial concern of the project makers. Further, access to these networks made it possible for residents to use several platforms to communicate in an intensive fashion.Social implications The findings show that a connectivity policy should be geared toward promoting the right of all citizens to access the internet regardless of their ability to pay. Free and full access without any sacrifices of privacy should be guiding principles in policy implementation.
VL  - 12
SN  - 978-1-78635-481-5, 978-1-78635-482-2/2050-2060
DO  - 10.1108/S2050-206020160000012018
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/S2050-206020160000012018
AU  - Penteado Claudio Luis de Camargo
AU  - Souza Paulo Roberto Elias de
AU  - Fortunato Ivan
AU  - Silveira Sérgio Amadeu da
PY  - 2016
Y1  - 2016/01/01
TI  - Connectivity Public Policy in the Network Society: The Case of “WiFi Livre SP”
T2  - Communication and Information Technologies Annual
T3  - Studies in Media and Communications
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 299
EP  - 314
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -