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Milton Keynes to be UK's first wireless city

Steve Ranger silicon.com

Published: 26 May 2006 10:00 BST

Milton Keynes hopes to be the first UK city to offer free wireless Internet access throughout its city centre.

The service, which will go live on 1 August, will initially cover the area from Milton Keynes Central Station up to Midsummer Place in the retail district, with the entire city centre going live within three to six months.

The service is being launched by wireless communications company Briteyellow in partnership with Invest Milton Keynes, using multi-channel wireless mesh technology.

The company said that wireless nodes will be installed in existing fixtures such as road signs and lampposts to extend the signal coverage.

Grant Seeley, director of investment at Milton Keynes Partnership, said in a statement the initiative — dubbed the 21st century wireless Milton Keynes project — has been in development for a year and a half. He claims it will be "the largest continuous area" to offer free Wi-Fi access in the UK.

Seeley said the network can be used securely and will be a particular advantage to businesses located in the city.

The service will be funded by commercial sponsors.