CASTRIES, St Lucia –

St Lucia is taking steps to increase wireless broadband (WiFi) Internet penetration with an ultimate plan to make it free across the country, Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has announced.

He said the programme will not be completely rolled out by the end of 2012, but the government hopes that in two to three years, a wireless internet connection could be available in any public place free of charge.

St Lucia’s is the latest WiFi initiative in the Eastern Caribbean following a similar drive in Barbados and another plan to put WiFi in Antiguan schools.