High-fi For Wick And Thurso - Free Wifi Is Rolled Out To Caithness Towns
1st November 2018
WICK and Thurso now have access to free WiFi in and around the centre of their towns thanks to a project led by the Highland Council and funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
The free WiFi, called "High-Fi", is aimed at stimulating economic growth and will increase digital inclusion across the Highlands. Easy access to digital connectivity is seen as essential if the Highland region is to be innovative and keep its competitive place in the tourism market.
Allied to this, WiFi also offers the opportunity to gather data to support tourism and the creation of a wireless infrastructure in a town centre allows smart traffic management technology to be utilised.
The first phase of the free WiFi project was a Pilot in part of Inverness City Centre which was later rolled out to the wider city in early 2017 as Phase 2. The 3rd Phase has seen the roll-out of free WiFi to 14 towns across Highland during 2018.
Additional towns to receive High-Fi during phase 3 of the project have included Alness, Aviemore, Dingwall, Dornoch, Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Invergordon, Nairn, Portree, Tain and Ullapool.
The rollout involves local communities, groups and businesses.
Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Matthew Reiss said: "This project is fantastic news for Caithness and I am sure it will be welcomed by everyone who lives here, as well as our many visitors to the far north.
"Digital connectivity is essential these days for daily life and the free access to WiFi will enable visitors and locals to make the most of local businesses by checking what's on, where to visit in the area, opening hours, accommodation and prices, as well as finding local job opportunities and keeping in touch with family and friends.
"High-Fi will help Wick and Thurso town centres to thrive. It will be great for posting photos of our stunning scenery on social media and helping to promote Caithness, and all this region offers, to the wider world."
The City-Region Deal sets out the areas where the Scottish Government will commit investment of up to £135m and the UK Government will commit investment of up to £53.1m, which, together with £127m of further investment by the Council and partners, will deliver a step change in digital connectivity, digital healthcare, skills, innovation and infrastructure.
UK Government minister Lord Duncan said: "Digital connectivity isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. The roll out of free Wi-Fi will help locals and businesses as well as making it easier for tourists visiting picturesque locations such as Wick and Thurso to share their experiences with people back home. I am pleased that the UK Government was able to directly support this essential project as part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal funding."
