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Newcastle City Council has signed an agreement with BT to create a ‘Wireless City’, putting it at the forefront of wireless communications in Britain and Europe, which will revolutionise the way people live, work and play
   
Before the end of the year, engineers will install Wireless City equipment on existing street furniture and lamp posts in the city centre to create an invisible wireless network.  Once this is live, in March 2007, it will enable people to communicate from laptops and Wi-fi enabled mobile devices wherever they are – accessing and updating information while on the move.
    
Even though wireless access such as BT Openzone is already available in places such as the airport, hotels and coffee shops, the new partnership will make this service available in a large area of the city centre.   The network will bring together the very latest technologies and applications for use by public services, businesses and people.

Newcastle’s enthusiasm to adopt the latest information and communications technology has seen it take up a leading position in BT’s national Wireless Cities programme.  The Wireless City concept will ensure that Newcastle is ready to take advantage of any new developments which might arise as the possibilities created by this technology become apparent.  It should also provide a major boost to local businesses and will help to attract new industries.
     
Councillor Anita Lower welcomed the move saying: “With more services being provided through the internet, Newcastle cannot afford to be left behind as new technology to improve access to the web becomes available.   
  
“The Wireless Cities project puts Newcastle firmly at the forefront of Wi-Fi access in the country.  I am sure that business, consumers and households across the city will join me in welcoming this development and the opportunities it will bring.”

Ray Smith, BT’s North East regional director, said: “Our networks will make sure customers are connected at all times, but all they will notice is how simple and easy it is to do everything they need to do.

“This is the first step towards a future of rich, high speed services enabled by new technology. The network will be a great asset to local businesses and will bring a host of information and services to local people.”

BT will be responsible for funding the rollout of the Wireless Cities Network. The development and operational costs of the network will be borne entirely by BT, with no cost burden on the tax payer for the provision and management of the network.