Internet Access: World's Best-Wired Cities

The world is wired. Whether you can imagine life without the Net or
not, the truth is that today's modern societies would plunge into chaos
(at least for some time) without it. Still only several cities in the
world can boast ubiquitous Internet access. See the world's most
connected cities where the Internet is almost as available as the air.

6. Tallinn. Estonia

Tallinn, the capital of one of the Europe's tiniest countries -
Estonia, has one of the best Internet services on the European continent
and it is the best-connected country in the Eastern Europe. It's hard
to believe that the medieval center of the town, with its cobblestone
picturesque streets, dozens of churches, historic ruins, cafes and
boutiques, is actually a cyber city. The wireless connection is
available, virtually, in every corner of this ancient town and it is
almost always free of charge.

Estonians are crazy about the Internet to such an extent that free
Net access is a basic right guaranteed by the
parliament. All schools, universities and public offices have free
Internet connection, more than 90% of all bank transactions are
e-transactions, the Estonians vote and pay taxes online, and Tallinn's citizens buy bus passes and pay parking tickets via text
messages. The WiFi is also free on commuter trains. The country might
well be renamed E-stonia.

5. Seattle. The USA.

Stylish Seattle, beautifully located between Puget Sound and
Lake Washington, is the country's top spot in terms of the Internet
access. According to Forbes.com that surveyed 30 American cities,
Seattle has been the most broadband-connected city in the USA in 2009:
it has the highest percentage of Internet users with high-speed
connections and the largest number of public wireless spots. In the
Forbes' annual ranking Seattle has dethroned Atlanta, which held the
title of the most-connected American city in 2007 and 2008.

The city, home to Amazon.com and Microsoft, has been working hard to
become the most wired city in the USA. In 2005 the City of Seattle launched a seattlewifi pilot project providing free Internet in the
Columbia City, the University District, the City Hall lobby area, and
Seattle's four downtown parks. In 2006 14,400 different users accessed
the seatlewifi, while in 2008 the number increased to over 20,000.

4. Hong Kong. China.

Hong Kong, the Chinese metropolis, leading financial center and one
of the biggest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the
Asia-Pacific region, features, not surprisingly, one of the world's
highest broadband household penetration boasting a rate of 72%. In 2013, 80%
of Hong Kong households are expected to be wired up for broadband
Internet, as Gartner, an IT research company, reported.

The Hong Kong's leading and most innovative provider of fast
connections is Hong Kong Broadband Network. It offers the Internet
access up to 1Gbps, broadband TV service, and broadband phone services.
As a result, Hong Kong's Internet is fast, stable and really cheap.
HKBN provides symmetric 100Mbps unlimited broadband access for US$34
per month.

Free WiFi in Hong Kong. By

wZa HK

3. Singapore.

Singapore, the small Asian city-state, is the fifth wealthiest
country in the world, and one of the Four Asian Tigers (along Hong
Kong, South Korea and Taiwan). It is also one of the world's
most-connected cities with a super-developed telecommunications
infrastructure. The broadband technology has been strongly promoted and
supported by the government - access to broadband connection is one of
the main themes of the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) program, a
10-year master plan.

Currently, the broadband household penetration rate totals to 63%,
and it is expected to reach 78% in 2013, according to Gartner. In turn,
Point Topic broadband communications research company states that more
than 90% of Singapore's households have some form of the broadband
Internet connection and this will reach almost 100% in 2010. Moreover,
the city is dotted with WiFi hotspots, and WiMax network can be found in the
seaport.

The iN2015 plan aims to build a national network
called Next Gen NBN that will deliver ultra high broadband of 1Gbps to
all households and public institutions as well as a Wireless Broadband Network
(WBN) around the city.

2. Amsterdam. The Netherlands.

Europe's most laid-back city, Amsterdam, is the most connected city in Western Europe and one of
the most wired global metropolises. You can basically use the Internet
while riding your bike and even if you venture into the most lonesome
corners of the town.

In 2008 Worldmax launched Wimax, on-the-go broadband Internet,
in the city. At first it was only for PC users, but in June 2009 the
Aerea service has been added, which allows MAC users enjoy the wireless
broadband Internet everywhere. The Wimax is available for city's
residents for only €9.95 per month, and visitors can buy a day, a
week or a month prepaid balance.


Moreover, the country boats Europe's highest penetration of household broadband
connection of 80% and in 2013 the penetration rate is to increase to
88%.

1. Seoul. South Korea.

The Internet is practically everywhere in Seoul, the futuristic
capital of South Korea and a cradle for global largest
telecommunication and technology companies such as LG, Samsung and KT
Corporation. The city, inhabited by around 10 million people, is one of
the world's largest metropolises and one of the most technologically
advanced infrastructures. Seoul is ranked first on the Digital
Opportunity Index, with the highest broadband Internet penetration. It
has an 83% household penetration rate, and the rate is expected to grow
up to 93% in 2013, according to Gartner's recent report.

Seoul is the only city in the world that can boast DMB, a digital
mobile TV technology and WiBro, as well as a wireless high-speed mobile Internet
service. The city's 100MBps connection is to be upgraded to 1Gbps in
2012, which is ten times faster than the current service, and wireless
broadband will also be ten times faster, offering 10Mbps service by
2012.