LB Islington has made 2Mb broadband internet available free of charge to residents and workers on a busy street in its borough, it was announced on 7 June 2005.
The council believes the Technology Mile, located along the entire length of mile long Upper Street, is the biggest unbroken wireless broadband hotzone in London. It is accessible by anyone with a wirelessly enabled device. Users are directed to a council website where citizens can make online payments and browse details of local services such as jobs, travel, child care and advice. From here they can then access the rest of the internet free of charge.
"As London's largest hotzone Islington's Technology Mile is a landmark in providing wide reaching community services directly on the street," said councillor Bridget Fox. "By offering free access to important council services and to the internet, the project addresses social inclusion head on and supports our ambition to turn Islington into an A1 borough for all.
"The Technology Mile builds on other schemes the council has in place to help everyone to gain the benefits of internet access. I'm especially pleased with the second phase of the project, when we hope to begin work with selected local businesses, supplying PCs along Upper Street, so they can offer free access to their customers."
The initiative has cost the council about £50,000 to set up and assuming it is a success, there are plans to expand the scheme to neighbouring areas.
Quele: KableNET, 07.06.2005
