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FREE wifi for Peel has moved a step closer after Peel Town Commissioners agreed to submit an application to the western regeneration committee.
If successful, the application would see Peel becoming the first town in the island to have a public area offering free wireless internet access to residents and visitors.
Phase one of the project – for which the commissioners have submitted the application – would see the introduction of wifi availability along West Quay and halfway across the promenade, ending just before the junction with Stanley Road.
But for this to happen, there is a hurdle to get over – the application will go for approval before the western regeneration committee, which is to meet again next month and would then need to apply to the Town Centre and Village Regeneration Fund for the finances to do it.
If successful, the chosen internet service provider, Wi-Manx, will start installing the wifi antennae to lampposts in the area selected.
The benefits of Peel having wifi installed will include allowing visitors, residents and businesses to be able to access core services from local and central government via the internet. Plus it will allow them to access data on places to visit, eat or to stay in the area.
Peel online (the commissioners’ website) will be the home page and the connection will allow visitors to log on to find things to do in Peel.
Peel commissioner Rodger Gimbert said: ‘It is hoped the wifi will encourage more people into the businesses within the town as a simple internet search will find where a business is. Visiting boats will be able to check weather forecasts and contact harbour control easily, book a hire car or find the number for a local taxi and find accommodation and how to get there.
‘The internet is a wonderful medium and it would be really great to be able to pilot this scheme, which could then be rolled out to other areas of the island.’
If the commissioners are successful with phase one they hope to introduce other phases to the wifi scheme, so that the internet is available in other parts of Peel.
The government has set aside £8m for town centre and village regeneration. Grants available from the fund range from under £10,000 to more than £100,000. The cost of installing the first phase of the wifi system with Wi-Manx would be £9,105.
Wifi offers the ability for a computer or modern mobile phone to access a network or the internet without needing a physical cable connection. Institutions with an open wifi connection can promote goods and services through web pages sent to wireless devices.
