Spectators at the Tour de France in York will benefit from free unlimited Wi-Fi on the go this weekend.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has rolled out CityConnectWiFi, designed to provide up to 1Mbps per device, as part of York’s status as one of 22 Super Connected Cities.
Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: "We understand that fast and reliable access to the web is now a necessity, not a luxury, and our Super Connected Cities programme was designed to deliver projects just like this.
"This scheme, together with the vouchers we’ve made available for York businesses to help cover the cost of superfast broadband access, will be a strong driver of growth and a welcome boost to the local economy."
The Wi-Fi was installed by Ruckus Wireless and Pinacl, which fitted their ZoneFlex wirelesss mesh access points into the Council’s lamp posts and street furniture.
"Due to the historic nature of York, the wireless solution needed to conform to English Heritage guidelines and be as unobtrusive as possible," the companies said in a statement.
Mark Lowe, strategic relationship director at Pinacl, said: "Local businesses will also be able to benefit from commercial opportunities advertising on the Wi-Fi service – a chance to target the 7 million visitors to York each year".
