Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff and Westminster will benefit from huge wireless networks, offering them access to information and services, as well as supporting more widespread CCTV systems.
BT started the ‘wireless city’ roll-out in Cardiff, where BT Openzone hotspots have been installed in many locations in the city centre. In Westminster, a dedicated high-bandwidth wireless network is already in place and is now being extended. Pilot results for the area are said to have shown that expansion of the public safety network though wireless technology has given residents on housing estates more confidence to walk the streets at night.
Steve Andrews, BT’s chief of converged communications services, said: “We have been thrilled with the overwhelming response of local authorities and businesses wanting to be part of this wireless revolution. This first phase of 12 cities is just the start. We are already negotiating with many other cities.”
He added: “The ‘wireless city’ initiatives offer wide area wireless broadband access across metropolitan areas, enabling people to use the network on a range of devices for entertainment, education and communication, such as e-mail, video and voice calls, even when they’re on the move.”
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