StreetNet WiFi Network

Bristol City Council and Cityspace announced an agreement to build the UK’s largest urban digital network offering outdoor wireless broadband access to Bristol’s residents, visitors and city workers. The record-setting agreement provides for ‘StreetNet’, a network of wireless broadband (Wi-Fi), serving ‘always-on’ access to the internet and email, allowing council and city workers to access private networks (VPNs) whilst doing their job on the city streets. Critically, it can also provide wireless connectivity for CCTV, allowing very low cost mobility of cameras for deployment around street events and general security surveillance.

Councillor Helen Holland, Executive for External Affairs and Partnerships for Bristol told Muniwireless they decided to provide Wi-Fi public access to make Bristol a more accommodating place for visitors and residents. In addition, the city sees a lot of other uses for the network, notably, for police, health services, transportation, utility workers and city employees. The creation of a Wi-Fi network also goes hand in hand with the city's recent moves to deliver services better - via the Internet - for example, allowing residents to pay their taxes online, renew library books, report damaged street lighting, etc.