Llandrindod’s town wi-fi officially launched

A town wi-fi system covering the key areas of a mid Powys town has been officially launched, Powys County Council has announced.

Local dignitaries and members of the public attended the official launch of Llandrindod Wells’ open access wi-fi system at the town’s Metropole Hotel last month (Saturday 27 February).

The new system, which sees Llandrindod Wells become the first town in Wales to have free open access to wi-fi, was funded through the Tesco 106 development fund and the council’s Regeneration grant.

At the official launch, members of the public viewed displays of the wi-fi system, spoke to staff involved in the project and took part in a quiz which took them around the town using the system.

Work to install the wi-fi system was carried out by Welsh company Telemat. The company installed the system last summer in several locations around Llandrindod Wells including the public transport interchange, Middleton Street, Temple Gardens, the Rock Park and the town’s lake.

Residents and visitors are now able to use the free wi-fi by logging onto a system via a portal page that is part of the town’s new website, which has also been funded by the Tesco development fund.

The portal will tell users what Llandrindod Wells has to offer and show offers and promotions from town shops and businesses in order to draw people into the shopping area and increase their spend there. The system can also provide businesses information including visitor numbers and their length of stay in the town.

Cllr Avril York, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Access to wi-fi is something people expect so I’m delighted that Llandrindod Wells has become the first town in the whole of Wales to have a free open access system that residents and visitors can use.

“The system will benefit local people, residents and visitors and will provide access at places in Llandrindod Wells where events and gatherings take place.

“I would like to thank the council’s Regeneration Team, the Llandrindod Wells Town Champion, the town council, local businesses and those involved in this project, their work and efforts have made it possible to install this wi-fi system.

“Not only will Llandrindod Wells be able to use the system to showcase what the town has to offer but it could become a great tool for the town’s businesses to inform the way they market their business in the future.”