TeleBermuda International has helped Wedco turn the whole of Dockyard into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Instead of incurring costly roaming charges to surf and e-mail, anyone visiting Dockyard, including Bermuda residents, can now sign up for TBi Wi-Fi starting at $3 for one hour, up to $29.99 monthly.

The new TBi Wi-Fi zone will be welcomed by the tens of thousands of cruise passengers and crew who visit Dockyard in the summer. Up until now, to access the web they have had to go to internet cafes or pay the high cost of cellphone roaming or using cruise ship satellite internet service.

Wedco chairman Walter Lister said yesterday the new “value-ad” TBi service was like an internet ring around Dockyard and was “a first” for Bermuda.

Any Wi-Fi enabled device such as a smart phone, tablet, personal computer or digital audio player, can connect to the network via seamless access points installed throughout Dockyard. The service is available throughout the Dockyard.

Wedco said it would also use the network to support surveillance throughout the area, enhancing security for visitors and businesses.

“At Wedco we are continually looking for new ways to enhance our tourism product and make Dockyard a first class destination for locals and tourists,” Mr Lister said.

“The addition of Wi-Fi, at globally competitive prices, positions us to be able to provide cutting edge technologies for all visitors within Dockyard.”

TBi president and COO Gregory Swan said the rates were the lowest available and he was excited about the value the new service brought to Dockyard.

“Dockyard is the perfect place to shop, have a good meal, relax, and surf the web,” Mr Swan said.

“Wi-Fi Network Access is becoming increasingly popular as people are demanding alternatives to traditional internet connectivity. TBi is very pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with Wedco on this initiative.”

The pricing is as follows: $3 for 1 hour; $9.99 for 24 hours; $14.99 for 72 hours; $29.99 for basic monthly.

TBi said to have the service all you need to do is turn on your device and enable Wi-Fi connection, look for the TBi Wi-Fi Zone network and connect, then proceed to the Wi-Fi hotspot login page.