Residents of public low-cost flats (PPR) in Bandar Tun Razak can now enjoy free WiFi Internet connection, thanks to a project aimed at bridging the digital divide.

The Federal Territories Ministry, Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Wilayah Persekutuan Infrastructure Sdn Bhd (WPI) project dubbed ‘Metro WiFi’ provides WiFi connection of up to one gigabyte.

If successful, the project will be roled out to the remaining 43 PPR in Kuala Lumpur, project spokesperson Ida Harlina Ikhwan Nasir.

The service will only be available in the common areas of the PPR, she said.

The total cost of the project has yet to be finalised.

TM executive vice-president Rozaimy Rahman told Malaysiakini that the free WiFi wil also be roled out to selected commercial areas, public squares and tourist spots.

"Commercial areas, such as shopping complexes, and tourist spots like Dataran Merdeka, will have free WiFi access," Rozaimy said.

He said this after the signing of a memorandum of collaboration for the project at Bandar Tun Razak today. Also present was Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor.

The Federal Territories Ministry is providing infrastructure support while the Kuala Lumpur City Hall is assisting in network planning.

"I hope the services provided will help improve the hard skills and soft skills of the people, so that we can compete locally and internationally," Tengku Adnan said.