Network Communications News (NCN) February 2017 | Page 13

ON THE CASE

Square Mile to get world class wireless network

Residents , employees and visitors to the City of London will be able to use a new world class wireless network this year as proposals to expand free Wi-Fi and improve mobile coverage across the Square Mile have been given the green light .
A new network will replace the current free Wi-Fi service provided by the cloud . State-of-the-art equipment will provide gigabit speeds and see users able to enjoy high bandwidth services like video on demand over free City Wi-Fi for the first time .
The project is the single largest investment in wireless infrastructure ever seen in the city of London and will be rolled out from late spring 2017 . The winning provider for the delivery of this work will be announced in the next few weeks .
London currently suffers from poor broadband speeds with four of the 12 constituencies with the worst superfast broadband being found in the capital – including the City and Westminster . London ranks 26th out of 33 European capitals in terms of broadband speed .
Over 400 ‘ small cells ’, which will be built in the coming months , will boost the strength and reliability of the current wireless coverage by using street objects like lampposts , street signs , buildings and CCTV columns .
The new service will pave the way for easier adoption of 5G technology , which is expected to be launched by the end of this decade . For further information visit : www . cityoflondon . gov . uk

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