The City of London will roll out a Wi-Fi network over
the next six months, to give City workers and visitors access to
the internet in the streets and open spaces across the Square
Mile.
Wi-Fi network operator The Cloud is to install and manage the
network, with most of the Corporation’s area covered by
October.
It follows The Cloud’s announcement of plans to set up a string
of public wireless local area networks in cities across Britain.
The company has already set up a Wi-Fi zone covering the Canary
Wharf area of London’s Docklands.
The City of London Corporation, which is responsible for local
government in the Square Mile, is paying nothing towards the costs
of the project, a spokesperson confirmed. “It’s free, we’re just
providing access. It’s up to them [The Cloud] to bear the
costs.”
The Corporation will give The Cloud access to lampposts, road
signs and other “street furniture” which will be used to install
the network infrastructure.
The Cloud’s open network system will also allow service
providers to use it to deliver a range of services including
high-speed internet access, rich e-mail, music, video and voice
over Wi-Fi services to their customers.
Michael Snyder, Chairman of the City of London’s policy
committee, said: “We feel it is important to provide this
technology to maintain our position as the world’s leading
international financial centre. City workers and visitors will be
able to use wireless broadband to work more efficiently; staying in
touch with their office via hand-held devices while on the
move.”