Nokia and UK Wi-Fi services providers Spectrum Interactive have announced a large-scale trial of free Wi-Fi access in London. Internet access is initially available for a trial period at 26 street hotspots from 01 November to 31 December. This will be used to test demand for free Wi-Fi access and the browsing behaviour of consumers using the service. If the two-month trial is successful, a large-scale roll-out across London will follow from early-2012. The test will be used to determine the best locations for future hotspots and the necessary bandwidth to meet robust consumer demand. John Nichols, Head of Marketing for Nokia, said it was pleased to sponsor this pilot as on-the-go internet access had become an indispensable part of modern life. The Wi-Fi network will support access speeds of up to 20 Mbps via equipment installed in street-side phone boxes owned by Spectrum Interactive. Users will not need to register to use the service.
