More than a million hits in under two months on free city centre Wi-Fi
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Version 0 of 1. York's free city centre Wi-Fi trial has notched up more than 1,000,000 hits since its launch on 14 November; to be precise, 1,097,67, although since that was audited on 9 January, there will already have been many more. The tally is easily enough to encourage the Labour-controlled council in its hope of extending the pilot from St Helen's Square and Coney Street where people like me can be seen hunched over our laptops. Or in the case of younger people with daintier fingers, their smart 'phones. The Northerner reported on the pending launch of the trial back in September and it's further to the city council's credit that they've been in touch with these interim figures. After another couple of months, and consultation with users, businesses and visitors, a decision will be taken over whether to go for a much larger area, essentially the old city within the walls. Coun Julie Gunnell, York's cabinet member for corporate services, says: This service is putting York on the national electronic map and I'm delighted that it has had over a million hits. We know that the city has had a bumper Christmas in terms of footfall and the figures show that the trial has been part of that. We're known for our iconic buildings and colourful history, but York is dynamic and innovative too. Hear, hear. Remember all the steam engines, chocolate-making and other ingenious ways that our regional capital has found of earning its living. York council staff have been down to Kensington and Chelsea to compare notes with their counterparts there, who are planning to offer free Wi-Fi ready for the 2012 Olympics. It was a two-way discussion, says Gunnell, with the Royal borough interested in the careful way that York is trying things out. The trial works through Wi-Fi access points neatly sited in the square and along Coney Street which use a 5Ghz link to the council's existing fibre network which covers the whole city. Users chose the service from the list which comes up on their 'phone or laptop and click on I accept, just as if they were getting married. Give it a go. Who wouldn't want to spend a bit of time in York. Mind you, there is a risk of getting so beguiled by reading the Northerner and enjoying all the other wonders of Wi-Fi, that you may ignore the actual beauties around you. No doubt York will be building that possibility into their analysis and consultation. |