Bristol is to extend its wireless network to cover key business areas, transport routes and deprived areas.

The current three kilometre wide network is currently used by 15,000 people per month, and the council wants to use extend this into a larger area of the city.

Providing free broadband access to the public and premium paid services for businesses, the network will also be used to develop mobile IT for council workers, increasing their ability to reach customers.

The new areas for the network will be rolled out by WiFi specialist Cityspace, who have been running the current Bristol network since 2004.

A high quality, citywide wi-fi network is critical to the economic success of the city and its wider city region, says Bristol City Council leader councillor Barbara Janke.

'It can help us improve council services, enable local businesses to become even more competitive and remove some of the obstacles that stop people in disadvantaged communities accessing the information and services they need,' she said.

'This new extension to our existing city centre network will be built on a solid and proven framework and can help us develop real, valuable applications that will make a difference to the people of Bristol.'

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