NETWORK NEWS
Islington reports success of London’s first wireless housing estate
Since the service went live this spring, over 10,000 users have accessed the extended wireless broadband network launched to residents of a housing estate within one of Islington’s most under privileged areas.
Serving some 1,000 residents within the Ashby Estate and Eric Fletcher Court, the wireless network is intended to bridge the digital divide; bringing free internet access and local and council services to the community as a whole.
Enabling residents without their own devices to take advantage of the service, Islington Council has installed wireless PCs within the community centre. In parallel, the council ‘Learning Bus’ has been equipped with wireless laptops which are helping to significantly reduce connection charges sustained by the free to use mobile training service, used by an average of 2,000 residents per month.
This unique extension to the established 2.5 mile ‘Technology Mile’ network deployed in Upper Street and Holloway Road, represents a significant landmark in Islington’s digital outreach across the Borough; with the aim to establish Canonbury as London’s first ‘Wireless Ward’ by the end of 2007.
The Ashby House and Eric Fletcher Court estate is one of the ‘Super Output Areas’ which the Council has listed as a priority target for regeneration under the “One Islington” corporate objectives. The project is managed by the Council’s Technology Solutions Group.
