SWINDON is to become the first town in the UK to offer free wireless internet to all residents.

The new £1m Swindon Council scheme will debut in Highworth next month and roll out to the whole borough by April.

After signing up, residents will receive a personal security code to access the internet for free, but access is likely to be limited every day.

The council has formed Digital City UK with IT firm aQovia and Rikki Hunt, chairman of Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership, to offer the service.

It will be delivered through 1,400 access points above ground, forming a wi-fi mesh around the borough.

Council leader Rod Bluh said: “This project, without a doubt, is truly groundbreaking. It is a new way of doing business for the council and the way we work with the private sector.

“We are, I believe, the first in the country to deliver this.”

The council is a 35 per cent shareholder in Digital City and aims to make money back by charging for add-on services and products.

Coun Bluh hopes the scheme – branded Signal – will be profitable and could be sold to other local authorities in the future.

He said: “It can’t be about cost-cutting all the time –otherwise there will be nothing left.

“To get through the financial storm, we are going to have to start raising some revenue. We believe this is a good deal for Swindon.”

Residents will get free connection to the internet, free line rental and connection wherever they travel throughout Swindon.

Mr Hunt said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole of Swindon creating total social inclusion through our free service, and while others talk, Swindon is delivering a digital city, which will benefit both the public and business communities.

“The free connection will suffice for kids who need to do homework.”

Subscribers will be able to sign up for 20MB upgrades for significantly less than major broadband suppliers following a free three-month trial, according to a council statement.

Mr Hunt believes residents will also be attracted to the other hi-tech product offerings, which include CCTV and energy monitoring.

Mustafa Arif, director of aQovia, said: “The most exciting thing for me is that we are doing something positive for the town and the community when it is quite challenging economically.”

Highworth mayor Melanie Duff is delighted the service will debut in her town and planned to discuss it at a full council meeting last night.

She said: “I am thrilled Highworth has been chosen.”

To find out more, visit www.getsignal.co.uk