Swindon is UK's first free internet town
Swindon Borough Council is the first authority in the UK to provide free internet access for all its residents.
A partnership with the private sector will roll out free connection to the internet and free line rental and connection charge for the borough’s 186,000 people within the next four months.
Swindon has a 35% share in Digital City UK and expects to cash in on similar roll-outs of the technology to other towns and cities across the UK.
The company was set up in partnership with the concept’s originator Rikki Hunt and digital technology firm aQovia.
It is our intention to use our expertise to help other local authorities follow our lead
Council leader Rod Bluh
The first phase of the wi-fi network will be switched on in the Highworth area in early December with the remainder of the project being completed by the end of April.
Council leader Rod Bluh said: “Not only will residents in the borough be able to access the internet for free, the council and its partners will be able to use the technology to provide cutting edge services to the areas or individuals who need them.
“Digital City will also provide the council with a unique funding stream and it is our intention to use our expertise to help other local authorities follow our lead.”
Mr Hunt said the team was ready to roll out the offering in the New Year - and confronting the possible hurdles facing a council making money from such a commercial enterprise.
“The key is that we’ve spent the last 18 months making sure that the governance is in place,” he said.
The public will be able to access the internet and download emails for free but usage will be limited.
Subscribers who wanted more than a basic provision - for example, streaming video - would be required to pay but Digital City says the costs will be less than from other providers.
Cllr Bluh acknowledged that the service would only reach those who could afford either personal computers or sophisticated mobile phones.
But he said the council was working on a parallel project to re-cycle old computers for locations such as Jobcentres as a way of broadening access.
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Readers' comments (4)
Amanda Shaw | 17-Nov-2009 9:54 pm
Acutally, Ormskirk is the first free Internet town - there has been free wifi internet access for two years.
Amanda
www.letsgowifi.co.uk
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Amanda Shaw | 17-Nov-2009 9:57 pm
Sorry, that's what comes of running a business and working 90 hours a week - I meant to say 'actually' - Amanda
- letsgowifi.co.uk :)
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Rob Bulman | 20-Nov-2009 10:31 am
Hi Amanda,
How many people or what area does the Ormskirk service cover please?
Regards,
Rob
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Amanda Shaw | 23-Nov-2009 8:21 am
Hi Rob
Sorry for the delayed response.
WiFi in Ormskirk covers the whole of Coronation Park, the Leisure Centre cafe, reception & conference areas and right up to the lights in the Town Centre. This will soon be extended to cover the market traders area and will be supported by a unique platform to promote the Town. The WiFi connection is accessed daily by at least a hundred people - it is completely free 24/7.
Kind regards
Amanda
www.letsgowifi.co.uk
Pioneer of free wifi internet access since 2005
Author of secure wireless networks for The Gadget Show - Channel Five.
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