People's Network Wireless projects WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) 'hotspots' have become popular at various locations throughout the country where people need to have instant access to the internet. Typically they are located where people who are travelling around tend to spend time. This includes coffee houses, fast food restaurants and waiting rooms in train stations. WiFi and the People's Network The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, the Department of Trade and Industry, and The Countryside Agency are working in partnership to trial WiFi hotspots in 10 rural public libraries across England. The libraries involved are:
- Ayton Library (North Yorkshire)
- Barnard Castle Library (County Durham)
- Belper Library (Derbyshire)
- Brewood Library (Staffordshire)
- Chatburn Library (Lancashire)
- Launceston Library (Cornwall)
- Lyndhurst Library (Hampshire)
- Potton Library (Bedfordshire)
- Princetown Library (Devon)
- Sandwich Library (Kent)
The objectives of these pilots are to:
- Raise awareness of the potential for broadband services
- Enhance the experience of broadband for rural communities
- Undertake Action Research to determine whether the pilot WiFi library model could be used nationally
The provision of WiFi hotspots will help spread the awareness of broadband in rural areas. The People's Network broadband infrastructure is in place for WiFi hotspots to be installed in almost 3000 libraries in England, but currently there is no funding to do this. These 12-month WiFi pilots will help to build a body of evidence that will contribute to the case for any national rollout.
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