BELFAST has become the latest city in the UK to benefit from new BT digital street units.
The free InLink service offers residents, visitors and shoppers the fastest free public Wi-Fi in the UK (up to 1Gbps), free calls to landlines and mobiles, free mobile charging points, plus a range of digital services, including local council and community information.
Initially nine InLink units have been installed in Belfast, but further activations are expected in the coming weeks as part of an overall £2.7 million investment over the next 10 years.
The units are replacing 18 existing payphones in the city centre.
Belfast is the first city in Northern Ireland to benefit from the technology and joins the likes of London, Glasgow and Cardiff in offering access to the free services.
Belfast Lord Mayor, Deirdre Hargey said the InLink development supports the city's reputation as a centre of digital innovation.
"It’s great to see another development for the public and businesses which supports our digital ambition and strategic vision to develop our Smart City credentials," she said
“In addition to this, the technology being provided will offer greater connectivity for the public, helping to increase footfall on our high street, and aid retail and economic growth as a result.”
Christopher Morrow, head of communications and policy at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry added: “
“By providing facilities for people to make free calls, access free wi-fi and charge their phones, the InLink service will add much to a city already bursting with creativity and entrepreneurial spark.”
The InLink service from BT, which is funded by advertising revenue to deliver free services at no cost to the taxpayer and local councils, already has more than 295,000 subscribers across the UK.
Additional features include interactive maps which allow users to easily get from one location to another, an emergency 999 call button and the option to add air quality monitors to allow local governments to build sustainable clean-air strategies.
