Wireless network for Swindon to start in summer

Work has started on a new wireless internet network in Swindon which the town's council believes could lead to £480,000 savings.

The 4G network will initially be used by the council to replace separate connections at more than 60 buildings.

A previous free wifi project which was backed by £400,000 of council money failed when the company running it, Digital City, went bust.

It led to calls for the council leader, Rod Bluh, to resign.

Mr Bluh and deputy leader Garry Perkins survived a vote of no confidence over the collapse of the firm, which was part-owned by the council.

Work to install the equipment to run the network, run by UK Broadband, began earlier in the spring.

Hitesh Patel from Swindon Borough Council said the system could allow people such as social workers to "update case records remotely".

Mr Patel added: "Capabilities such as these will form the basis of more efficient service delivery, alongside the savings on communications budgets."