MELBOURNE will expand free public Wi-Fi services in the coming months as part of a central business district trial following the success of a similar offering at Flinders Street Station.
The Napthine government said the pilot is the first stage in a larger rollout of public Wi-Fi.
Companies have been invited to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for the service. Contracts are expected to be awarded in mid-2014.
Premier Denis Napthine said all responses would be assessed on their "commercial viability with strong preference given to proposals where there is no ongoing cost to government, beyond any potential initial investment to establish the infrastructure".
Dr Napthine said government investment could include direct grants or in-kind contributions like advertising, sponsorship and priority access to public infrastructure and facilities.
"As the first step, the initiative aims to pilot fast, reliable and free Wi-Fi services in central Melbourne, in and around publicly owned infrastructure, including public transport hubs and tourist attractions for the next three to five years," he said.
"Providing free public Wi-Fi in the city is part of the government's agenda to build a better Victoria."
Dr Napthine said Wi-Fi would be delivered in partnership between his government, the City of Melbourne and the private sector.
"We are encouraging innovative expressions of interest that will ensure a reliable, sustainable free service that is also filtered for prohibited and undesirable content," he said.
Technology Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips said free Wi-Fi access at Flinders Street Station -- provided by Netbay -- had been a success and the government wanted to extend the service.
Mr Rich-Phillips said the EOI process will provide the government with "a better understanding of the supplier market and available solutions as it develops a business model, leveraging public infrastructure to roll out more public Wi-Fi networks across the state".
"The public Wi-Fi initiative will support small businesses, improve the tourism experience, assist our education sector, and further strengthen Victoria as Australia's leading technology state," Mr Rich-Phillips said.
Expressions of interest close on April 17.
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