Free WiFi cover on the cards for Plymouth to help city get better connected
Free WiFi covering areas of the waterfront and the city centre could be on the cards for Plymouth.
Visitors, businesses and residents will be able to get online with ease while on the move through their mobile phones, tablets and ipads as part of Plymouth’s wider broadband strategy to get the city better connected through high speed roll-out and digital inclusion.
Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet is being asked to give the go-ahead on September 3 to a concession contract which will open the doors to free WiFi as early as Spring 2014.
The move will enable thousands more people to tap into the wealth of information on the web to help them buy in Plymouth, get around the city, eat, drink as well as enjoy activities in Plymouth.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “We’re very excited about this idea as it will be a great communication tool for everyone. It has enormous potential to give people instant access to the information they want – whether they are a visitor or a local.”
Details of how, where and for how long people will be able to use the WiFi network will be finalised in the coming months, but it is expected that the network will be available to anyone following a simple one-off log in.
Once logged on, people will be taken automatically to a landing page which will provide search facilities and links to key useful sites for visitors, citizens and businesses.
Councillor Evans said: “We know this is what many people want and are beginning to expect. Visitors will arrive in the city, click onto the page and see what’s on and where to go.
“If we want to increase the number of tourists coming here, we need to be more savvy. We can also keep our residents more in the loop with what we are doing. Those most in need, without internet access will now have at least a basic level of access to the internet revolution.”
David Parlby, Chief Executive of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “It shows that we are modern and forward-looking – it sends out all the right messages for potential investors as well as visitors.
“It will encourage people to become more familiar with digital technology which, in turn is good for ICT skills.
Mobile access to the internet, particularly through tablets and smart phones has grown massively in recent years. The project will make it easier for the Council to communicate directly with residents. As the network grows, so does the potential for council services to use more the network more. The project will be cost neutral and will not cost the Council tax-payer anything.
