Member Article

Leeds to see 95 free wifi hotspots created

An estimated 95 buildings in Leeds and Bradford will be made into free wi-fi hotspots as part of the Government’s plans to see over 1000 public buildings in cities across the UK offering free online access.

Leeds and Bradford will be able to connect at locations such as the Leeds City Council’s central library in Calverley Street, for visitors, shoppers, tourists and business people alike. The library attracts a some 680,000 visits per annum.

40 plus libraries across all points of the city and another 40 community and children centres, as well as locations such as Armley Industrial Museum John Charles conference suite, will offer the wifi service.

In Bradford, free wifi will be on tap at City Park, Shipley, Keighley, Laisterdyke and Silsden libraries.

Peter Walker, development officer for Digital Services at Bradford Council said: “Introducing Wi-Fi in the library has been viewed by the general public as a positive, progressive move.

“It is a superb service to highlight when marketing the library and encourages many extra people to use it.”

The programme is part of an £150m investment to transform the digital capability of UK cities, making them even more attractive places to live, do business, visit and invest in. Millions and millions of visitors, citizens and business men and women can take advantage of this huge boost to free connectivity in the UK.

Over the coming months, libraries, museums, civic centres, transport hubs, sporting complexes and other buildings around the UK will begin to offer free wi-fi – some have already gone live, and the remainder are all on track to be up and running as soon as March 2015.

Demonstrating the ongoing transformation of the UK’s digital landscape, this project will ensure our cities boast world-class connectivity and are equipped to deal with the increasing demands of the digital age.

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: “The digital landscape of the UK is undergoing a period of tremendous improvement and is all part of the Government’s long term economic plan.

“For business, visitors and the UK public, accessing wifi in our cities is absolutely vital. I’m delighted this government scheme is on track. These free hotspots will be instrumental in making UK cities even more attractive as places to not only do business, but to visit as well.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .