The central city of Da Nang has launched its information technology (IT) infrastructure system, which includes a Metropolian Area Network (MAN), wireless internet, data centre and a centre for human training and research on IT applications.

The project, which was funded by the World Bank, has been completed after seven years of construction, Pham Kim Son, Director of the city’s Department of Information and Communications, told a press conference on August 20.

“The completion of IT infrastructure will help facilitate the e-government by connecting all the city’s agencies and grassroots administrations,” Son said.

The IT infrastructure will ease the public procedures for local people, saving time and money with quick information provision, he added.

He said it means that businesses can use MAN to declare procedure and tax. The system is also set to alert to the dangers of disaster, pollution and water quality.

Beginning on August 21, the wireless internet (Wifi) will offer free service, with a maximum of 20.000 connections at a time, for local people and tourists at major centres and streets in the city, including living quarters, schools, beaches, tourism sites, hospitals, shopping mall, bus and railway stations, airport and entertainment centres.

Last week, the city began operating IBM’s intelligent operations centre to efficiently manage its water and transport systems.

Da Nang is one of the biggest cities developing concentrated information centres, after Hanoi and HCM City.

In April, the US’s Rocky Lai & Associates Inc officially started the construction of the 341-ha Da Nang IT Park with a total investment of 278 million USD.-VNA