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Wednesday 5th July 2006

Paris eyes city-wide WiFi 5:43PM, Wednesday 5th July 2006

Paris wireless. That's the goal of the city's Mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, who has been speaking of a plan to set up 400 free Wi-Fi hot-spots next year for city-wide coverage.

City authorities hope that by allowing service providers to install antennae on public property - such as parks, squares and libraries - blanket coverage will be achieved, reports Reuters.

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'We will act fast and firmly... to create the most favourable conditions for Paris,' it quotes Delanoe. 'It is a decisive tool for international competition and thus important for the city.'

As part of the package, there will also be tax-cuts available for companies laying fibre optic cables, as part of a bid to have 80 per cent of city buildings on high-speed fibre optic networks by 2010.

The plans will be submitted for city council approval next week.

San Francisco - powered by Google - and Taipei, in Taiwan, are among the other cities looking to provide city-wide wireless access.

Alun Williams

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