News

Map of wireless points - well, Wialess, actually!

We pointed readers to a useful map last week, showing public wireless access points around the UK. At the time, we observed that it wasn't complete, since it didn't include several low-cost (or even free) wireless Internet services - in particular, Wialess.com.

The UK map was referenced on another site. But the Wialess network, though small, is growing.

Wialess provides free Internet access in selected pubs and restaurants, attracting extra custom in normally slack periods - with tourists coming into the places to use email, and staying to have a snack or a drink.

Wialess, started last year, tells me it will have six Wialess Zones up-and-running during next week - that is, from 10th March.

These are:

Barney's Bar and Restaurant, London Road, St Albans.

Martini Restaurant, Heritage Close, St Albans.

Radio Days, Waxhouse Gate, St Albans.

The Mermaid, Hatfield Road, St Albans.

The White Hart Tap, Keyfield Terrace, St Albans.

Crosfield Sports and Social Club, Hood Lane, Warrington.

"We'll have a map set up and on our web site ready for when all six sites are live - and by the end of March we expect to add another venue in Warrington, a wine bar in Harpenden and a golf club in Surrey!" reports technical director, Brian Parker.

"We are in talks with pub and hotel chains, where we're having to fight hard against (to our mind) the less-compelling arguments of the likes of BT, Megabeam and even Leisure Link," he adds.

As a result, says Parker, he expects Wialess will keep installing into the thousands of independents who fall beneath the radars of the well-funded giants.

The company doesn't just install free Internet points in pubs. It also works with new house builders, on a project called Wialess Homes. "On the Wialess Homes front, we've carried out a successful trial at Laing Homes and are visiting a Sunley Homes site on Thursday with a view to installing our WiFi solution in the Sales Centre," Parker reports

Wialess will be expecting the builders to offer wireless as an optional 'extra' for prospective purchasers.

They also hope to install 'wireless CCTV' around the building site for security purposes.