City of London switches on Wi-Fi network

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 24 Apr 2007 at 09:58

The City of London has switched on the Wi-Fi network covering the entirety of the capital's Square Mile financial district.

Europe's densest wireless network provides broadband Internet access for the 350,000 plus people who work in and visit the area. They will get free access for the first month.

The network has been developed and tested over the past twelve months by wireless provider The Cloud, which will continue to tune the network over the coming weeks as new users, applications and devices begin to use it.

The network currently comprises 127 nodes built into existing street furniture including lamp posts and street signs to cover 95 per cent of the City area.

'Metro WiFi networks are changing the face of towns and cities around the world for both public access and public sector applications,' said Niall Murphy, co-founder & chief strategy officer of The Cloud. 'The City of London network is a global benchmark for cities and metro WiFi, and an exciting addition to The Cloud's network across the UK and our other city networks in Europe'

Michael Snyder, chairman of the City of London's Policy Committee, said that the network is a key addition to the City's 'world class' communications infrastructure.

'It is important that we provide the latest technology that will benefit those working in or visiting the City,' he said. 'The Square Mile is a fast-moving, dynamic environment and we are responding to the increasing time pressures faced by City workers by providing the technology for them to stay up to date, wherever they are in the City.'

The Cloud also operates large scale networks in Canary Wharf, Amsterdam, Stuttgart and in nine other UK cities.