Richmond Council in the UK is providing free, on-street Wi-Fi in Richmond and Twickenham.

The FreeRichmondWifi service is due to be launched on the11th of this month in time for the start of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

It will provide residents and visitors with 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi per day on wireless devices like smartphones, tablets or laptops.

Users will also be allowed to access three websites, www.richmond.gov.uk, www.visitrichmond.co.uk, and www.tfl.gov.uk on an unlimited basis for free.

The council worked with communications infrastructure firm Arqiva to install initial Wi-Fi access points for providing coverage in Twickenham, Teddington and Richmond.

Arqiva and the council will share any revenue generated from third parties on the Wi-Fi network.

Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Performance Tony Arbour said: "By giving our residents free Wi-Fi access to the internet for the 30 minutes – and our site for as long as they like – we are opening up accessibility for those residents who don’t have the internet."

UK communications regulator Ofcom has recently reported that 30% of residents in London are not having access to the internet in their home.

Arqiva managing director for telecoms Nicolas Ott said: "Offering council-led Wi-Fi access to local residents and visitors via their wireless devices opens up the opportunity to give internet access to more people.

"Arqiva is delighted to be working with Richmond Council to help improve its wireless network service, provide better community services to its residents, and assist with the economic development of the borough."