THE poorest families in Swindon could be given extended free internet access under Swindon’s wi-fi project.

The man behind the scheme said he would consider a suggestion to extend the daily allowance of free wi-fi access beyond the current two hours for those in the most deprived areas.

The idea was raised by Coun David Glaholm (Ind, Penhill) at Thursday’s full council meeting, where he also suggested poor families should not be charged for the router which is necessary to receive the service.

Coun Glaholm said: “This should be targeted at the areas of greatest need.”

Rikki Hunt, who is running the project alongside the council and IT company aQovia, said he would consider the proposal but it would depend on funding.

“My initial idea for this project was about the two free hours a day, and that was all to do with social inclusion,” he said.

“I’m very aware that there are people who can’t afford internet access and it would be great to be able to help them through this scheme. The whole idea is for this to benefit the town.

“We would have to look at who would subsidise it and how exactly it would work but it’s a debate I’m happy to have.”

Current estimates are that Digital City UK’s package will be available for £9.99, including a free router and a three-month free trial. A router will be available to buy for those who only require the free two hours a day. A price has yet to be worked out.

The full roll-out of the service in Highworth has now been postponed due to the bad weather.

The wi-fi network was due to have gone live across the whole town on Thursday but because of the snow has been put back to the end of January.

Currently only the centre of Highworth is covered by the scheme.

Mr Hunt said: “We’re confident that everything will be in place for the end of the month. It’s a complicated process, even without the snow, because we have to have approval for every single lamppost and that takes time.”

There are currently 350 customers signed up to receive the service in Highworth, with 141 having gone live.

According to Mr Hunt no negative comments have been received from the Highworth residents currently using the service, but anyone who would like to comment can email info@getsignal.co.uk.