Release Date:
Friday, March 20, 2009
High Tech plans for Derry's famous Guildhall Tower
Derry's Guildhall is to be ushered into the 21st century with a high-tech addition to the building's famous bell tower. But lovers of the stunning architecture of the symbolic structure need not fret as there'll be no major alterations - simply plans to fit a wireless router in the tower.
Derry City Council has lodged a planning application to install a high speed broadband as part of the extension of the city centre's wireless network. A total of nine routers are to be located at various points in the city centre (some are already fitted), part-funded by an £80,000 grant announced this week by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster.
The network currently provides up to 30 minutes free Internet access in streets and public spaces within and around the city walls. The additional funding will be used to extend the coverage to include Waterloo Place, Upper Strand Road and into the Long Tower, Bogside and Fountain neighbourhoods.
Welcoming the investment, Derry's Mayor, Gerard Diver called on local businesses to embrace the scheme. He said: "I would encourage the owners of cafes, restaurants, bars, guest-houses and hotels within the area covered by the network, to partner Derry City Council in making the Wireless City service available within their premises."
" In addition, through the cross-border technology consortium, ERNACT, the council is working on projects to develop useful services which visitors and citizens can access through the Wireless City Network and their latest mobile devices."
Interested business owners have been advised to contact the Wireless City Project Officer, Louise Breslin, at Derry City Council on 028 7137 6506.
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