Islington Borough Council is extending its existing wireless network to provide free high-speed internet access for everyone.

The scheme is an extension of the area’s Wi-Fi Technology Mile which we first reported on back in 2005 and ran for nearly 2.5 miles along two main shopping streets. The council have been increasing this to serve local housing estates covering up to 10,000 homes in inner London.

The aim is to bridge the digital divide and allow those without internet access to  to boost their skills and broaden their prospects. It claims that the service is being widely used and has become the  UK’s most widely-used wireless network. The council have also equipped a learning bus with 15 PCs and a trainer and visits the Canonbury estate each week, offering residents help with writing CVs and job searching.

The council also uses the service for it's own mobile applications, including email and estate management.