City of London goes wireless: Launch of Europe's most advanced WiFi network

Twelve months of development and testing has enabled The Cloud and the City of London Corporation to deploy Europe's densest, most comprehensive city-wide WiFi mobility network. The Cloud will continue to tune the network over the coming weeks as new users, applications and devices begin to use the service.

The network currently comprises 127 nodes and will evolve to offer 95% coverage across areas owned by the City of London Corporation. Reinforcing the Square Mile's status as a world-leading financial and business centre, the City-wide WiFi network has been designed and built onto existing street furniture including lamp posts and street signs.

The network allows anyone with WiFi-enabled devices including laptops, PDAs, media players and smart phones such as the new generation of Nokia devices to take their broadband with them.

Michael Snyder, Chairman of the City of London's Policy Committee, said: "The City of London is the world's leading financial and business centre and has always benefited from a world class communications infrastructure. It is therefore important that we provide the latest technology that will benefit those working in or visiting the City. The Square Mile is a fast-moving, dynamic environment and we are responding to the increasing time pressures faced by City workers by providing the technology for them to stay up to date, wherever they are in the City."

Niall Murphy, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of The Cloud, commented: "Metro WiFi networks are changing the face of towns and cities around the world for both public access and public sector applications. The City of London network is a global benchmark for cities and metro WiFi, and an exciting addition to The Cloud's network across the UK and our other city networks in Europe. Working with Nokia demonstrates the value these kinds of networks deliver for exciting and useful 'internet everywhere' access on the move."

* Free access during launch month will only be available on devices with browser capability. - Source: City of London