A free public wifi service delivered by Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s Smart Place programme is now live along Boscombe seafront.
Businesses can promote their services through bespoke landing pages on the free wifi portal, which has been funded by the government’s Towns Fund programme.
Residents and visitors to Boscombe can benefit from the service which provides a reliable wificonnection to those with limited or no access to affordable internet.
The BCP Council Smart Place Wi-Fi was trialled during this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival, with almost 2,000 people using it to stay connected.
The service helped support businesses and charities working at the festival to take card payments that were initially failing due to insufficient 4G network coverage.
The existing safe and secure service has operated in in Lansdowne and parts of Boscombe town centre for the last two years and has attracted over 30,000 users.
The next stage of the Wi-Fi extension will include Boscombe Crescent to Kings Park and towards the Vitality Stadium, due to be completed by October 2023.
The free and accessible network is now available at:
Users can select ‘BCP Council Smart Place free Wi-Fi’ on their device list to access the service.
They’re served local information including travel, events, and local business offerings, helping to boost the local economy.
BCP Council Smart Place R&D Consortium partners, CCN Communications Ltd, Yo Wireless, Volker Highways and Cambium Networks supported on building and delivering this network.
The Smart Place R&D Consortium is a community of both local and wider companies who help to develop and deliver new and enhanced Smart applications and services.
Local digital connectivity issues highlighted through the Bournemouth Air Festival free Wi-Fi trial are being addressed by The BCP Council Smart Place team.
The programme of work includes growing the digital sector locally and the development of innovative digital solutions.
To find out more information go to bcpcouncil.gov.uk/SmartPlaceWiFi
Businesses who are interested or wish to know more can contact smartplace@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
