Islington is set to take pole position as providers of the UK’s largest wireless free internet service – with an 1.3 mile expansion of the hotzone.<br><br>Islington Council in partnership with Cityspace is delighted to announce the wireless broadband ‘hotzone’, which currently stretches from the Angel to Highbury Corner, is to expand along Holloway Road as far as the Nags Head area. <br><br>“Our decision to extend the ‘Technology Mile’ is based on the significant uptake by local residents and businesses, fuelling interest and generating demand into wider reaches of the borough,” says Councillor Terry Stacy, executive member for performance.<br><br>“Since the network went live in April, we are registering an average of 500 connections to the internet per week, which clearly reflects the value the service is giving to the community. <br><br>“In parallel, we are rolling out our programme of piloting PC installations in waiting areas of local businesses, with the aim of encouraging local businesses to permanently provide free access as a real value-added service to customers and the community at large."<br><br>Scheduled for completion before Christmas 2005, the Technology ‘Mile’ will more than double in size, spanning 2.5 miles (4km) making it the largest ‘hotzone’ in the country. <br><br>“One of our key drivers behind this deployment is delivery of critical e-Government directives by providing free internet access for all.” says Cllr Stacy.<br><br>Islington’s ‘hotzone’ is accessible by anyone with a wirelessly enabled device which is directed to a tailor made Islington Council landing page, featuring a comprehensive menu of council services, information and communication options, plus direct access to the World Wide Web, all free of charge.<br><br>“We’re delighted Islington is so committed to enabling its citizens to reap the benefit of always on, free internet access,” says Cityspace Chief Executive, Marc Meyohas.<br><br>“The expanding network is a perfect example of how local government and service providers can work together to deliver tangible e-services to the community and make real inroads in bridging the digital divide”<br><br>Islington is also planning applications for mobile workers and fixed infrastructures, such as CCTV and traffic monitoring.<br><br>“The hotzone is already proving to be a useful business tool for both our staff and local businesses. We recently installed in-shop CCTV in one of our local businesses,” says Cllr Stacy. “These are small beginnings but we have great plans to harness the many benefits our wireless borough will bring!”<br><br>End.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009