A state-of-the-art WiFi service will hit 21 Westfield shopping centres nationwide, as part of a partnership between Optus and Scentre Group.
Announced today, the five-year partnership will see Westfield customers able to access a free WiFi service that provides up to 1GB of data for a 3-hour period every day. The service, which will be available across common mall areas, is said to also provide location analytics and “personalized content” for subscribers.
“We are focused on creating the best customer experiences within our shopping centres with digital connectivity a key priority. This new service is another example of where we are investing to improve the customer experience through innovation” Scentre Group CEO Peter Allen said.
“Working with such a reputable technology provider as Optus will provide benefits for our shoppers and our business. With over 500 million visits to Westfield shopping centres in 2014, we believe that this service will meet the growing shopper demands for data as they increasingly use their smartphones to inform their shopping trip and connect socially. This service will strengthen the appeal of our assets with our local communities.”
The decision to go ahead with a wide rollout comes after successful WiFi trials took place in Westfield Miranda, NSW and Westfield Garden City, QLD. Optus said that those pilots saw almost 3,000 sessions per day at each centre, which had connected shoppers stay in the centre 12 per cent longer than those than those not using the WiFi.
Scentre Group, the company created through the merger of Westfield Retail Trust and Westfield Group’s Australian and New Zealand management business, will be using Optus (who have partnered with Aruba and SkyFii) to provide, implement and manage the WiFi solution.
“Like Westfield, Optus is committed to delivering the best possible customer experience, so the opportunity to provide a differentiated digital experience for customers, in addition to showcasing our technology expertise, is very exciting for us,” John Paitaridis, Optus Business Managing Director, said.
“Our focus is on delivering the most compelling ICT solutions to support Australia’s leading enterprises and government organisations. We are delighted with the Westfield partnership as we demonstrate our capability in managed WiFi and analytics solutions on a national scale.”
The Westfield WiFi service will hit the following centres in 2015, with more planned for 2016:
1. Westfield Belconnen, ACT
2. Westfield Bondi Junction, NSW
3. Westfield Burwood, NSW
4. Westfield Carousel, WA
5. Westfield Chatswood, NSW
6. Westfield Chermside, QLD
7. Westfield Garden City, QLD – completed
8. Westfield Hornsby, NSW
9. Westfield Innaloo, WA
10. Westfield Kotara, NSW
11. Westfield Tuggerah, NSW
12. Westfield Liverpool, NSW
13. Westfield Southland, VIC
14. Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, SA
15. Westfield Warringah, NSW
16. Westfield Miranda, NSW – completed
17. Westfield Parramatta, NSW
18. Westfield Whitford City, WA
19. Westfield Geelong, VIC
20. Westfield Helensvale, QLD
21. Westfield Sydney – Myer side, NSW
