Derry Gets Citywide WiFiDerry Gets Citywide WiFi

DERRY, U.K. -- The historic Walled City and commercial centre of Derry, Ireland – the first city-wide Wi-Fi network in Northern, Ireland and one of the first such services in the British isles – is now live with Wi-Fi wireless coverage, providing Digital Tour Guides and free Internet access services using the Tropos® Networks MetroMesh™ Wi-Fi system. Additional applications are underway including public works services for mobile field workers and automated public utilities as well as business and commercial applications.

With this Walled City network in the heart of Derry, the Economic Development Section of the Derry City Council has completed phase one of the “Walled City to Wireless City” initiative which was created to cater to business travelers, tourists, local residents, businesses and students at the universities. Today, the City’s Wi-Fi network offers free Internet access to users in restaurants, cafes, and the Central Library. The Wireless City Digital Tour is a state of the art multimedia guide that provides a location-aware interactive experience for visitors. They simply pick up a handheld Wi-Fi-enabled device at the Tourist Information Centre on Foyle Street and enjoy an audio/visual guided tour around the historic Walled City. As this is a digital tour, users can start and finish when they like and spend as much time as they want at any given site along the way.

The “Walled City to Wireless City” initiative was financed by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment through the “Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.” In addition, the Economic Development Section of the Derry City Council, is embarking on the next phase of the initiative to connect and expand the network throughout the entire City for public agencies such as mobile field workers and utility applications as well as business and commercial applications.

“With this citywide Wi-Fi network, we are showing the same Derry innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that built the Historic Walls of Derry in the 17th century which was, like today’s announcement, quite an achievement for its time. We will continue to be at the leading edge of using technology as an essential part of enhancing our city experience and use it as a competitive advantage to benefit the whole community, creating greater economic and commercial opportunities,” said Mark Lusby, Economic Development Manager for Derry.

Tropos Networks Inc.