The first 20 Wi-Fi hotspots in the city centre announced earlier this year, are being switched on this week.
As part of a partnership between Nottingham City Council and BT, the Wi-Fi it will mean anyone with a smartphone, tablet or laptop can get online for free in some of the city’s most popular areas for tourism, shopping and leisure.
More hotspots are still to be added but when complete, the Wi-Fi network will cover areas in and around the Market Square, the Lace Market, as well as key pedestrian routes between the Victoria shopping centre and the railway station.
Councillor Nick McDonald, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Jobs, Growth and Transport, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to team up with BT to offer free and unlimited Wi-Fi to people while they’re out and about in Nottingham city centre.
Picture: Councillor Nick McDonald and Owen Moody, BT’s Regional Director for the East Midlands
Councillor McDonald believes that this has the potential to save people money because now they will be able to browse the internet, check emails and keep in contact across social media without the need to use up their data allowance.
Owen Moody, BT East Midlands regional director, said: “We’re delighted to be switching on the first part of the new Wi-Fi network. A great deal of work has taken place with the City Council to make this happen and I’m sure it will prove to be popular.
“More and more people are using technology to stay in touch when on the move, and this network will make that a lot easier for visitors to the city as well as those living and working here.”
– Owen Moody, BT East Midlands regional director
When work is completed, the new network will have 41 BT Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city centre, making free and unlimited Wi-Fi available to more than 310,000 residents, hundreds of businesses and the 10.7 million people who visit the city in a typical year.
