Free town centre wifi project moves forward

Newtown's free town centre wifi is moving forward with three locations expected to have routers fitted this week.

The Smart Towns Initiative will bring free wifi to most areas of the town centre allowing residents, shoppers and visitors access to fast internet while in the area.

The town council has been working with Powys County Council to bring the managed wifi system into the town funded by the Shared Prosperity Funding.

At last week's Economy and Environment Committee, Cllr Peter Lewington, who leads on the project for the town council, said a Digital Champion had been recruited through the Newtown Town Partnership. That role will help identify and install routers at locations throughout the town.

He said the first three routers should be installed over the week, including one at Sarah Brisco House, where the town council offices are.

Data will also be collected through the system to enable details about the number of visitors in the town, where they visit and other information. 

However, it cannot identify the individual using the system or what they are looking at.