Newcastle and Gateshead are the two communities that have decided to provide free WiFi to visitors, residents and businesses. They would be probably the first in UK to do so after striking a deal. GOWEX, the Madrid-based firm which has experience in creating wireless smart-cities, has been selected after a public tender. The hotspots will be set up in a phased programme. The scheme is scheduled to be completed by the year end and will provide 40% coverage by August.
City Council Leader of Newcastle, Nick Forbes, said the scheme will make them the first in UK to have free WiFi access in the city centres, putting them at par with New York, Miami and San Francisco. It would not cost a penny to the councils but give great benefits and could actually earn cash. Philip Brown, Chief Executive for North Europe at GOWEX, said the work involved the setting up in Gateshead and Newcastle, of around 300 WiFi antennae on existing street furniture. The free WiFi would not cost anything to either councils, but both would get a cut from the revenue generated by the system, in a win-win situation, he added.
