ART galleries, civic buildings and even Oxford Ice Rink will soon have free wi-fi thanks to government investment.

More than 40 buildings in Oxford will be transformed into free wi-fi hotspots, it was announced today.

People will be able to access the Internet free at Modern Art Oxford, Park and Ride sites, County Hall and Oxford Ice Rink in coming months.

Oxford Chamber of Commerce president Peter Smith said: “This will help to transform the digital capability of the city, making it even more of an attractive place to do business, visit and invest in.”

The programme is part of an £150m government investment across the UK.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “Oxford’s huge student population and successful tourist industry will benefit particularly from this very welcome investment in wi-fi access.

“The city council has worked closely with our world-famous museums and galleries and public institutions to secure a very wide city centre coverage and the development of some novel apps will follow this initiative.”

All the new hot spots are due to be operational by March.

Digital economy minister and Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said: “For business, visitors and the UK public, accessing wi-fi in our cities is absolutely vital. These free hotspots will be instrumental in making UK cities even more attractive as places to not only do business, but to visit as well.”

 

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