Scarborough light years ahead

Yorkshire seaside town leads the way with free wifi broadband across the harbour and seafront

Scarborough, on the North Sea coast of Yorkshire, UK, today becomes one of the UK's first coastal towns to provide visitors - it receives over five and a half million a year - with free broadband wifi access, with the launch of 'Freebay wifi' at the North Yorkshire town's South Bay seafront.

As well as providing coverage for users along the Sandside area, the wifi range extends across the whole of Scarborough's harbour and marina, bringing free wifi access to the yachts, motor and fishing boats moored there.

John Senior of Scarborough's South Bay Traders Association says "Over the last few years cafes, hotels and other public areas have provided wireless internet access but have made a charge for the service. Now, our association has launched this initiative to fund and provide completely free broadband access.

"Visiting businessmen and women can be in contact with their office and business world whilst enjoying lunch on the sea front, fishing boats and other seagoing craft can now get up-to-the-minute weather reports immediately before leaving harbour and the five and a half million tourists who visit the resort each year can obtain the latest information on Scarborough's attractions. "Freebay Wifi is a superb example of how tradition meets technology, with Britain's first ever coastal resort now providing the country's first seafront with free broadband wifi access."

Initially the network will be supplied by two broadband lines running at approximately 5Mbps, both with a contention ratio of 20:1 which means that the wireless access points will be able to each handle at least 50 simultaneous users.

Hardware costs have been jointly funded by Yorkshire Forward and South Bay Traders Association, with support for installation provided by G2 Security and Deepdale Computer Services. Internet connections have been funded by Corriga's Amusements and the Golden Grid Restaurant, with the wireless access sites provided by South Bay Traders Association.

Electric Angel Design for Life has provided the project's website www.freebaywifi.net and designed the logo, which is based on a fishing net - a play on words with interNET - in the shape of the South Bay and seeks to reflect the link between Scarborough's heritage and the embracing of new technology.