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Swindon Wide 27
Wi-Fi network heads for town centre connections Learn
The massive demand for the iPhone 4 and the iPad and similarly powerful handheld wireless devices over the to Jive
next few months proves that Swindon’s wi-fi system is happening at the right time according to Ricki Hunt, the
Swindon businessman who came up with the idea and persuaded Swindon Council to see the possibilities From Tuesday 7th September @
of investing in the UK’s fi rst town wide wifi network. St Paul’s Church Centre
Speaking to the media for the did not have the right street fur- technology park. “With Intel and St Paul’s Drive, Swindon
fi rst time since the whole project niture to mount aerials. You can’t Motorola based in Swindon and From Thursday 9th September @
became embroiled in controversy just stick in a new lampost, so also the government’s Technol- Hook Village Hall, Hook, Nr Wootton Bassett
in the months leading up to the we’ve had to fi nd solutions which ogy Strategy Board, we need to Beginners classes start at 7.15
general election, Ricki told The required negotiations and consul- have a place where cutting edge Learn to Lindy Hop
Link that the delay has been costly tations with owners and users of businesses explore new ways of from Sunday 5th September @
but he believes Swindon people nearby buildings. working and how to drive greater The Supermarine Sports & Social Club
will soon be able to access the “We’ve largely overcome the effi ciencies in businesses. Highworth Road, South Marston
system and discover its benefi ts. technical problems and from the “I really want Swindon to show Beginners classes start at 6.15
The Digital City consortium of end of July users will be offered how confi dent it is and for people
Ricki’s company Signal, the coun- the 24/7 service for £5.99 a month elsewhere to notice how our town Call Jim or Lisa on 01453 752842
cil and aQovia, was launched in and the advanced package which is trying to do something different. www.justjive.com Email [email protected]
Highworth with much fanfare in includes a home router and mobile
December. There are now 2,500 phone access for £9.99 a month.”
registered users in the town where Whilst he was battling through Tailor-made Check Swindon‛s
widest choice
there are around 3,000 homes. technical issues and waiting for out our widest choice
The system allows people free ac- the political problems to be re- by SueLynn prices of discounted
of discounted
cess for two hours daily. solved, Ricki said he had been
Art, Craft and
After the Digital Curtains Art, Craft and
City project was Pelmets Framing products
announced, criti- Roman blinds
cism of the coun- Swags & tails Lots of extra bargains
cil’s cabinet deci-
sion to take a 35 Cushion covers Framework Art & Craft
per cent share in Fitting service available Unit 35 BSS House
the project meant Cheney Manor, Swindon
it had to be re- No job too small Ample free parking
viewed by various For further information call
internal scrutiny Sue: 01793 870451 or Tel/Fax 01793 513069
committees and it Email: [email protected]
was referred to the Lynn: on 01793 330595 www.facswindon.co.uk
Audit Commission
to consider wheth-
er correct proce- Launching the Signal WiFi project in December 2009,
dures had been Caroline Spellman MP, then shadow minister for
followed. The deci- communities and local government, with Swindon
sions were ratifi ed Council leader Rod Bluh, centre, and Ricki Hunt
and Ricki says the
Digital City dream will soon take taken aback by the interest in the
off. wi-fi proposal, with enquiries from
“It’s taken longer than I expect- local authorities in the UK and
ed for two main reasons which worldwide. And as the system was
has had a knock on effect on installed in Highworth he has been
purchasing equipment which has able to take visitors to the town to
increased project costs,” he said. log on via their phones and lap-
“It’s taken longer to draw down tops. “The number of calls we’ve
the borough council’s investment, had is phenomenal. In early July
but there were processes to go I took a councillor from Australia
through and the project has now to try out the system and he was
been cleared for take off. I was amazed how his equipment con-
also optimistic about how long it nected instantly,” said Ricki. “It’s
would take to fully deploy the net- a fabulous set up which I’m con-
work in Highworth. fi dent is putting Swindon on the
“We wanted to ensure as com- technological map.”
plete coverage as possible but “We will start installing wi-fi aeri-
found blackspots where the signal als to cover the town centre in the
was not consistent enough and next few weeks which means peo-
ple working there and in town for
Food views wanted shopping or leisure will be able to
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust needs log on and discover how easy and
fast it is to use. More and more
the views of people in Swindon people will start demanding the
and Wiltshire to help raise Na- system where they live.”
tional Lottery funding for a three However Ricki admitted his
year project on local food. original plan to rapidly cover the
Fill in the survey on growing whole town with a wi-fi mesh has
food and attitudes to buying it been modifi ed and the roll out will
from local suppliers at www.sur- be progressed at a slower pace.
veymonkey.com/s/Localfood He wants the wi-fi initiative to drive
the development of a dedicated
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