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Ambitious free wireless internet access plans shelved by London board

Posted 26th June 2009 at 4:18pm by Kimberley Howson

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Free wireless broadband access will no longer be offered in Islington

Plans to deliver free wireless broadband access to more than 2,500 homes in the London borough of Islington have been scrapped.

Under the recently-announced plans, as many as 2,600 households within the area were to be given free access to broadband internet, as well as provided with computer equipment, in a bid to enable local residents to access information on council services, including jobs, travel and childcare.

However, despite recent research carried out by Top 10 Broadband having concluded that mast-based wireless networks are a relatively cost-effective way of ensuring whole communities can get online, the board of the EC1 New Deal regeneration body has failed to receive sufficient support in favour of the scheme and as such has confirmed that the plans have been shelved.

Speaking to the Islington Gazette, one board member explained that, while the free wireless broadband scheme "looked good on paper", it was difficult to see how it would have been implemented in practice.

The borough of Islington is already home of the 'technology mile', with the council having rolled out free-to-access broadband internet along the popular Upper Street five years ago.

More news on: Broadband coverage, Wireless broadband

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