Rollout of Westminster’s Wireless Connectivity Imminent

Rollout of wireless connectivity across Westminster is to begin by the end of 2006.

Work will start in Soho and the West End and it is expected that the whole City of Westminster, a total of 28 square kilometres, will be connected by the end of 2008.

Wireless connectivity will increase the efficiency of council workers, allowing them to input data into a handheld device rather than having to return to City Hall.

It will also be beneficial to the general public, who will be able to pay to use connectivity in the area. Residents will also be able to access the system for free to carry out transactions such as paying for parking tickets.

A wirelessly connected CCTV camera system will be trialled during the pilot of the project. The scheme was announced by Westminster council in early 2004, and was extended across Soho and into some council estates in 2005. Work will now start on rolling out the network.

The scheme is part of BT’s Wireless Cities initiative, and BT will build the system and sell access under its Openzone brand. However, the actual operator is Vertex, Westminster Council’s strategic partner.

The system will be a mesh network based on a core fibre backbone, and Cisco’s mobile access routers which will be fixed on to lampposts and other street furniture. There is potential to add WiMax capability in the future.