RedTone Group MD Wei Chuan Beng demonstrates the internet connection through the Free WiFi Wireless@Penang project to Lim and Ooi. Looking on is RedTone CEO Lau Bik Soon.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who launched the Wireless @ Penang Penang Free WiFi test drive with RedTone-Hotgate at Komtar on this afternoon, said the state government has evaluated all evidence before continuing with the project.

"All evidence point to the fact that WiFi is safe. If not, we can’t send our children to universities too because all universities here have WiFi," he said.

Lim also said he and Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi are exposed to WiFi 24 hours a day as they have four WiFi hotspots in Komtar and in their homes.

"If WiFi is harmful, Jeff and I will be the first to get fried by radiation."

Redtone-Hotgate Consortium set up a promotional booth in Komtar for the public to test the free wireless internet services provided jointly by REDtone Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Hotgate Technology (M) Sdn Bhd. Free WiFi booths are also set up at two other pilot sites at Queensbay Mall and Bukit Jambul Complex and the booths will be open for three days starting Wednesday.

The booths are located at the Komtar main entrance, the lower ground floor of Queensbay Mall and the ground floor of Bukit Jambul Complex.

Redtone-Hotgate Consortium will install up to 25 hotspots by the end of February and coverage will extend to 300 hotspots, including the mainland, by March 2010.