Islington Council has launched a wireless hotspot providing free internet for Wi-Fi devices.
Islington’s ‘Technology Mile’ network provides access to an Islington Council homepage, which contains a menu of council services, information, and communication options, including direct access to the Internet.
Cityspace, the UK-based technology company that has developed the scheme in partnership with Islington Council, has developed urban digital networks across a number of London boroughs and UK city councils, and also has international implementations in Moscow, Sweden, and Brussels.
The hotspot utilises seven BelAir200 Wireless Multi-service Switch Routers and one BelAir100 Wireless Multi-service Node – technology supplied by BelAir Networks, a private, Canada-based company. The BelAir200 is designed for outdoor deployments, and includes an access radio module that enables Wi-Fi client connectivity.
The wireless signals can be projected at street level, or directly into multi-story buildings from the outside, removing the requirement for indoor access points. Each BelAir200 can be configured with up to three backhaul radio modules, allowing multiple BelAir components to create a mesh network that supports traffic to and from the Internet. The BelAir products are modular in design and the mesh architecture can support other wireless technologies, such as WiMAX and cellular. The hardware is packaged in a small, environmentally-hardened enclosure, designed to be mounted on lampposts, or directly on buildings.
BT, meanwhile, is putting a brave face on the growing availability of free Wi-Fi and making noises to the effect that it is happy to co-exist with these no cost networks, as a larger market is being created as a result of deployment. However, other local councils are bound to Islington’s lead, which could be bad news for BT. It undoubtedly creates a perception that Wi-Fi is something that can be a no-cost option, making it very difficult for BT and others to charge a premium for access. It also puts further weight behind the commoditization of public Wi-Fi networks.
Source: OpinionWire by Butler Group (www.butlergroup.com)
