Free Wi-Fi for Swindon by Christmas

Lucky residents of Swindon are to become the first in Britain with free Wi-Fi access.  The Swindon council has joined forces with digital technology firm aQovia to create a company called Digital City UK Ltd. which will install a Wi-Fi mesh covering the entire borough.

The general public will be able to access the internet for free, though usage will be restricted.  Any Swindonite hungry for a fuller service will be able to undertake a free three month trial of a 20 megabyte upgrade, with the option to continue with either a pay-as-you-go structure or a monthly subscription fee that costs “significantly less than major broadband competitors”.

The council has a 35 per cent share in Digital City UK, which has plans to roll out a similar service to other British towns and cities.  The Swindon Borough Council also plans to use the network to deliver a range of services to residents, including real-time information on home electricity usage and monitoring of air quality.

The project will begin in December, and if all goes to plan will be completed by the end of April.

Mustafa Arif, director of aQovia, said: “Ubiquitous wireless internet is essential to the realisation of a ‘Digital Britain’. Sadly the city Wi-Fi hype died out a few years ago with scant examples of any sustainable networks.

“Digital City’s business model is built around subsidising free access with revenues from business and community services that are delivered over our wireless network.  This innovative partnership demonstrates a viable way forward for other towns and cities.”

For more information on the scheme and to read the official press release, visit www.getsignal.co.uk.