The whole of the U.K. could soon get free Wi-Fi
City-wide Wi-Fi networks which offer wireless Internet connectivity for free to all residents who want it have pretty much failed to succeed across the United States so far. However, Swindon, a large town in England, is about to get a mesh Wi-Fi network built, and the plans and technology could be rolled out to other towns and cities across the U.K.
Many major cities across the United States have intended to set up free city-wide Wi-Fi networks in recent years. Some have even achieved this goal, yet the first, St. Cloud in Florida, recently took the decision to shut down the network to all but city officials and emergency services. Maybe Britain can have more luck.
According to ZDNet, the unlikely setting for this initiative is the borough of Swindon in England. Swindon Borough Council has partnered with software-as-a-service company aQovia to form a new company called Digital City U.K. It’s taken a 35 percent share in the public-private partnership which will see a mesh network built containing 1,400 access points across the city.
Starting next April, everyone in the borough (approx. 180,000) will be able to access basic Web and email services using the free network. There will be a 20Mb service available to those who want to pay for it, with those who choose the free option either having speed or time limits imposed in order to make the system workable.
Swindon Borough Council leader Rod Bluh said in a statement:
This is a truly groundbreaking partnership which will have real benefits for everyone living in Swindon. Not only will residents in the borough be able to access the Internet for free [but] 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.
That last sentiment is what intrigues me. Swindon is but one small area of a country with 65 million inhabitants, but if the free city-wide Wi-Fi network is a success there then it will undoubtedly be rolled out to other towns, cities, and areas of the U.K. And that could, eventually, lead to the whole of the U.K. being one giant free Wi-Fi network.
Related Posts:
November 20th, 2009
I think the problem will be the same as that entoured this side of the pond. The business model has to assume some percentage will subscribe to pay service. Achieving that percentage is HARD what with the proliferation of cellular smartphones and aircards. And advertising alone won’t cover costs. So the operators have to keep hitting the municipality with a bill for a ever increasing share of the costs and at some point they cry uncle. Unless this town can bill every citizen like it was electric or water or something? Does this town have lots of tourism? That could generate daily fees from visitors perhaps, if the daily fee is reasonable. I see places here that want $10/day (!) in the hotel for WiFi, people aren’t THAT stupid.
From my BlackBerry Storm…