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BT picked to pipe free WiFi around Glasgow city centre

BT has been picked by Glasgow City Council to set up free WiFi throughout the city centre. 

It’s not yet known exactly where in Glasgow the WiFi access points are being installed but the council says around 50-80 WiFi hotspots will be up and running in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 

Residents and tourists will be able to enjoy unlimited 24 hour access for the first six months and 30 minutes of WiFi time after that. 

BT picked to pipe free WiFi around Glasgow city centre
Free WiFi: Glaswegians to benefit from over fifty free wireless hotspots

Access to certain sites including Glasgow City Council’s website will remain free permanently. 

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Delivering a free WiFi network is a key priority of the council and we are delighted to award the Urban Wireless supplier concession to BT. This is a historic day, a first for any Scottish city and it is great to see Glasgow living up to its innovative tradition. 

“Glaswegians and our visitors will soon be able to access multimedia information on the city, its events, businesses and services on their devices. This network will play a key role in Glasgow’s transition to becoming a digitally connected, smart city, with all the economic and social benefits that brings.”

As well as installing free WiFi points throughout the city, there are plans for the small cell technology to be used to improve 3G and 4G reception throughout Glasgow. 

Recently Edinburgh announced that free WiFi would be rolling out to buses and trams operating across the city. 

Unlike Edinburgh, Glasgow’s WiFi network is being funded in part by the city’s own Digital Glasgow programme. Glasgow missed out on getting money from the UK government’s Super Connected Cities fund, but it was able to secure £24 million in funding as part of the Future Cities Demonstrator competition. 

Image: Zoetnet/Flickr

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