MuniWireless

The Cloud has just deployed a Wi-Fi network across one square mile of the city of London, providing access to 350,000 people who work in and visit that area which includes the Inns of Court, the Barbican, the Old Bailey, and Hampstead Heath. The Cloudhas just deployed a Wi-Fi network across one square mile of the city of London, providing access to 350,000 people who work in and visit that area which includes the Inns of Court, the Barbican, the Old Bailey, and Hampstead Heath. Access is not free of charge and the press release does not say exactly what people can expect, but everyone’s hoping it won’t be the typical “European” prices for Wi-Fi access, which are ridiculously high.

The Cloud is a wholesale network operator, which means that the network is open to all wireless ISPs. There are 127 BelAir nodes mounted across the hotzone to provide connectivity. According to press release, the neutrality of The Cloud’s pioneering approach is fundamental for local authorities wishing to provide truly open access to both pubic and private audiences. The Cloud ensures that a wide range of services are immediately available, from high speed internet and email access to voice, music, video, gaming and other entertainment services over WiFi. Supported service providers include O2, BT Openzone, iPass, Truphone and Skype on various handsets. In addition to its wholesale options, The Cloud also provides a range of low-cost unlimited access tariffs for consumers.

During the first month of the launch, The Cloud and Nokia are offering free Wi-Fi access to users of Nokia’s Wi-Fi enabled phones.

I will be in London between May 22 and 24, and will have a chance to try the network using my Nokia N80i.