Brian Paddick has promised to turn London into the world’s first Wi-Fi capital in the world if he is elected next week.
Initially confined to the “10 main inner London boroughs” the scheme would provide 256kb connections with repeatable sessions lasting one hour in order to prevent the system being used to download movies or music files.
Based on projects elsewhere Mr Paddick’s campaign say the costs for the scheme would be in the region of £4.8 million.
Speaking yesterday Mr Paddick said: “If elected, I pledge to work with the private sector and local boroughs to make London the first Wi-Fi capital in the world. Access to the internet is access to knowledge, jobs and education and I will do all I can as Mayor to close the gap between the digital ‘haves’ and digital ‘have nots’.”
“The scheme would be piloted in 10 inner London boroughs and rolled out further if feedback was positive.”
Paddick has also said he would work with computer recycling charities such as Computer Aid and private business to help ensure all Londoners have access to a computer.
