WiFi, first Phase Completed
The local Government Chronicle reports that "First phase of council's free internet plan completed", and adds:
Snow in January and logistical problems meant that the completion of the network serving the 3,500 homes in the Highworth area was delayed - and put back the roll-out across the borough. The scheme is a join venture between the council and a commercial telecoms company, Digital City, set up with a £450,000 loan from the council. It has been criticised locally for being in competition with private providers of broadband to Swindon’s residential areas.
Swindon’s leader Rod Bluh says: “I’ve taken a bit of political heat over this but local people are taking to it like ducks to water.” Whereas The Swindon Advertiser takes a different slant with its headline "War of words over wi-fi".
A WAR of words has broken out after Swindon Council was accused of trying to cover up evidence and financial information about the town’s blanket wi-fi project.
North Swindon MP Michael Wills claims the council has misled residents about government funding and gave a £500,000 loan to a private company for the scheme without going to a competitive tender.
The accusations have been strongly refuted by leader of the council, Rod Bluh, who says Mr Wills’ comments are full of “political bias and ill-informed comment”.
But Mr Wills claims the council has tried to hide details from the public on a number of occasions by claiming they are confidential.
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