CityConnect WIFI is a Municipal wireless network brand name currently in operation in the cities of York, England; Aberdeen, Scotland; and Newport, Wales. It is run by Pinacl Solutions, who seeks to turn the entire connected area into a Wireless Access Zone and ultimately make the internet a universal service. To cover large parts of the cities, a wireless mesh network has been deployed, relaying the wireless Wi-Fi signal of hundreds of routers mounted commonly to poles, lamp-posts and buildings. Pinacl works closely with City of York Council and Aberdeen City Council and as such, Pinacl acts as a wireless internet service provider.
CityConnect WIFI first launched in 2014 across York City Centre when it was rolled out across the city centre and park and ride terminals. Coverage was later expanded across the University of York. This network sees around 2,000 users per day. Aberdeen CityConnect was later launched across 31 publicly accessible Council buildings in the Granite City and similarly in the City of Newport, with FREE public available in over 50 Council buildings. A separate concession based network was deployed across parts of the City Centre including Upper Dock St, Corn St, Skinner St, Riverfront Theatre, train station, information station, Cambrian Road, Newport Market and the bus station.
Pinacl, working in partnership with the City of York Council, started trials of public Wi-Fi beginning 2013, which was later rolled out permanently. This initially covered Coney Street, the main shopping street in York. Wi-Fi range was later expanded into other streets, allowing for continual use with connected devices relaying signals to the nearest router, for seamless connectivity whilst on the move. Wi-Fi range has since been expanded to cover the entire of York City Centre, the 6 Park and Ride sites, 14 council run libraries and 41 council owned buildings. WiFi within the city centre is split into 15 'Network Zones' relaying signals to the previous and next router in the sequence.
CityConnect WIFI Zones
Free Wi-Fi is available across 30 publicly-accessible Aberdeen City Council buildings, as part of the Accelerate Aberdeen programme. It was done in partnership with Pinacl Solutions and in the same technical style as in York.
Aberdeen City Connect is available in 17 libraries, nine community and learning centres, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Adventure Aberdeen and Marischal College. It is aimed at widening access to internet-based services across the city, as well as helping to address digital divide and social inclusion issues. In addition, Aberdeen City Connect is also available in 17 NHS Grampian Hospitals.
Free public Wi-Fi is available in the below locations:
NewportCityConnect provides users with unlimited free Wi-Fi access across city centre locations including Upper Dock St, Corn St, Skinner St, Riverfront Theatre, Railway Station, Information Station, Cambrian Road, Newport Market and the Bus Station.
Visitors and residents can access NewportCityConnect from any wireless enabled device.
The network has been designed to provide sufficient bandwidth to support streaming services such as BBC iPlayer. Pinacl created the CityConnect brand specifically for public Wi-Fi networks and solutions have been deployed for Aberdeen City Council, Stockport City Council and property development giants, British Land. Small retailers have also opted for CityConnect solutions to enhance their existing network with a social media Wi-Fi overlay.