As one of the pilot cities for the application of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) services in Shandong province, Qingdao has offered wireless Internet access since the beginning of 2010.

In three years, the 3G network will cover the whole city to reach more than 7 million people, according to the Qingdao Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology. Broadband wireless networks will serve more than 80 percent of the city’s enterprises and public institutions.

"We have been able to use the Wi-Fi function of PSP and iPod Touch until the offer of wireless Internet access services in stores and other public places since 2010,” said a Qingdao resident surnamed Zhang. “We all know that Starbucks has free Internet access. However, no one would like to spend a couple of dozen dollars to buy a cup of coffee only for the free Internet,” Zhang said.

In addition to public areas such as high-end hotels, the airport and coffee shops, many commercial buildings and shopping malls have also set up wireless networks for employees and customers. Citizens can surf the net by using Wi-Fi even if they don’t have 3G mobile phones or 3G notebooks.

By applying wireless network systems, residents are also able to access long-distance medical care services, e-commerce stores and electronic toll collection services.

Xiang Yangqing, director of Qingdao Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology said that the wireless technology used in some sectors at present will become more popular in the future.

By Audrey and Wang Fan