Spending on the creation of Wi-Fi zones across the UK and the US is set to increase from $900m (£439m) this year to $6.4bn by 2012, a study has shown.

Findings by analyst Datamonitor outlined in its report – The Future of Municipal Wireless Networks - suggest that the spend will rise at a year-on-year growth rate of 48 per cent, ZDNet.co.uk reports.

Already Norfolk and Milton Keynes both have blanket Wi-Fi networks, while a free network was recently set up across part of the River Thames.

The network stretches from Millbank to Greenwich and is set to be expanded further next month.

Users can access the free connection for 15 minutes if they sit through a short advertisement, with further use allowed provided they watch adverts every 15 minutes.

Datamonitor suggests that municipal Wi-Fi can aid the government in meeting efficiency targets because the networks can help to facilitate mobile working.


Friday, 27th July 2007

Back to Broadband News

Provider	Package	Speed	Download Limit	Setup Cost	Monthly Cost	More Info
	O2 Broadband - Standard	Up To 8Mbps	Unlimited *	FREE	£7.50	Go >>
	TalkTalk Broadband - Essentials	Up To 8Mbps	40GB	£29.99	£6.49	Go >>
	BT Broadband - Option 1	Up To 8Mbps	10GB	FREE	£7.78	Go >>
	BT Broadband - Option 2	Up To 8Mbps	15GB	FREE	£13.69	Go >>
	Virgin Media Broadband - M - Cable	Up To 2Mbps	Unlimited *	£30.00	£4.50	Go >>

* Fair Usage Policy applies. Click on Go to find out more information and Fair Usage Policy conditions for relevant providers.

** All Costs excludes the cost of line rental.

† Speeds in excess of 2 meg are only available in certain areas. Top speeds vary significantly, particularly according to how far away you live from the exchange.
If your line won’t support our fastest broadband speed we’ll give you the best available. The speed you actually get can also vary depending on the quality of your line, the wiring in your house, the time of day and even the weather.