The announcement was made during a working visit by the State Secretary for Digitalization and Kingdom Relations, Mr. Zsolt Szabó, signalling the island's commitment to providing safe and reliable internet access for both government officials and employees, and the public when visiting government offices.
These new services, with assistance provided from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), aim to significantly enhance the security of Wi-Fi connections at government buildings, addressing concerns around the risks of using open, unsecured networks. By introducing Govroam and Publicroam, Saba ensures that government employees, visiting officials, and the general public can connect to a secure network, protecting sensitive information from potential cyber threats.
“Strengthening the digital government services in the Dutch Caribbean is of great importance. Residents and entrepreneurs are entitled to good government services. This applies to everyone in the Netherlands, including all Sabans. When it comes to digitalization, we as a government should be well organized. Secure WiFi networks are indispensable to bring the basic digital infrastructure in order. Govroam and Public roam helps to improve IT on Saba and is of great value,” stated State Secretary Szabó.
Publicroam: Free and Secure Wi-Fi for Residents and Visitors
Publicroam offers a high level of security and convenience for the general public when visiting government offices. This secure and user-friendly Wi-Fi service can be accessed through a simple one-time registration process, ensuring that residents and visitors can stay connected without compromising their personal data. Once registered, users will be able to connect to free, secure Wi-Fi when visiting the main government building. PES intends in the future to expand these services to other buildings through a phased implementation approach.
Steps to connect to the Publicroam Network:
- Visit the Publicroam website at www.publicroam.nl (the site is available in English).
- Scroll down on the main page until you see "Receive your login through SMS".
- Click the button "Send me an SMS" and on the next page and fill in your personal information.
- You will receive an SMS with your username and password.
- Open your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and select the Publicroam network.
- When prompted, enter the username and password you received via SMS.
Congratulations! You are now connected to Publicroam for free, secure Wi-Fi access.
Govroam for Government Employees and Officials
Govroam is set to become the standard network for secure internet access across government buildings on Saba in the upcoming weeks, to be used by government employees and officials visiting Saba who are already registered with Govroam. This allows them to connect to the network using their existing credentials, without having to create a new account.
“This phased approach is necessary as we compile an overview of what is needed in each government building, but we are pleased with the big steps taken thus far and look forward to expanding to other locations,” said Team Leader for ICT, Lorenzo Caines.
A Global Standard for Secure Wi-Fi
Govroam and Publicroam are used by millions of people in the Netherlands, with numerous municipalities already utilizing the service. Govroam is also widely used in government institutions globally, with over 350 organizations participating, solidifying it as a trusted platform for secure Wi-Fi connectivity.
Island Governor Johnson shared his enthusiasm for the launch of these services stating, “With this initiative, Public Entity Saba continues to display commitment to digital modernization, while creating a more secure, connected environment for government operations and the wider public.”
