31 May 2006

Buckinghamshire's Milton Keynes is set to become the first wireless city in the UK.

From August 1st its retail district will be offered free a wireless Internet access service, followed by the rest of the city centre three to six months later.

Initially covering the area from Milton Keynes Central station up to Midsummer Place, the service will use multi-channel wireless mesh technology from Briteyellow, which is working in partnership with Invest Milton Keynes on the project.

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

Grant Seeley, director of investment at Milton Keynes Partnership, said in a statement that Milton Keynes will be "the largest continuous area" in the UK to offer free Wi-Fi access to its residents.

He said the secure network, which is being funded by commercial sponsors, will be particularly beneficial for businesses in the city centre.

© Adfero Ltd

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