Since its launch, IntechnologySmartCities has always had strong ambitions to be a leading figure in providing Smart City connectivity solutions.

And now with over 1 million people having used our free public WiFi in towns and cities across the UK, we’ve reached a significant milestone on this journey. In addition, our WiFi users have generated over 7.5 million sessions since launch day.

The blanket free WiFi coverage that is enjoyed by residents, businesses, and visitors in the centres of Edinburgh, Southend-on-Sea, Watford, Windsor and Maidenhead is promoting digital inclusion and forms a foundation of connectivity for smart city developments.

Our IntechConnect and IntechIoT are helping local authorities to create cost savings and develop Smart City services and IoT (Internet of Things) solutions in fields such as transport, health, tourism and waste management.

These applications allow councils to deliver more public services for less money and create cost-effective solutions that can really make a difference in the lives of their citizens.

By using technology we’ve helped councils deliver service improvements that have contributed to their citizens leading healthier, happier lives.

Join us on our journey

We’re increasing our coverage across the UK too, working with local authority partners in towns and cities to deploy our leading solutions. Upcoming partnerships include Coventry (City of Culture 2021), Oxford and Oxfordshire County, Doncaster, Chelmsford, West Lakeland and London’s Portobello Road. We’re very excited for the next stages of our joint digital journey. It’s great to be playing a part in driving the UK digital transformation agenda in the public sector.

Rob Woollard, Head of Product Marketing for IntechnologySmartCities, said:

“We have built one of Britain’s biggest platforms for digital inclusion.

“We are creating opportunities for more people than ever before to take part in the digital economy and access public services online.

“This is great news for councils, citizens, businesses and visitors.”

How do we help?

The data analytics engine that forms part of our IntechConnect Platform is able to provide insight into how people use the public spaces within our towns and cities.

This type of insight helps councils make more informed decisions in providing smarter public services and also in areas such as promoting inward investment and tourism.

This type of information is also of interest for the hundreds of BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) across the UK who do a tremendous job of promoting their towns and cities and helping keep their High Streets vibrant.

Businesses involved in a successful BID pay a proportional levy in addition to their normal business rates. These funds are then used to cover areas such as events, marketing, and promotion in agreement, usually for a maximum period of five years.

Some BIDs such as Leeds are well-established, having reached their fourth year. They successfully managed to attract and host world-class events in the city, including the ARIAs, the MOBOS and Leeds International Festival.

Other endeavours include the LeedsBID Welcome Ambassadors and Street Ranger teams, who help provide a friendly welcome to visitors; providing information, keeping up cleanliness, and taking pride in public spaces.

BIDs in areas such as Bradford have only just launched, after completion of a successful marketing campaign with 630 businesses voting in a ballot process. Bradford BID plans to raise £2.5 million to spend on projects to boost the city centre over the next five years including improving cleanliness and marketing the city to a local, regional and national audience through a wonderful calendar of events and attractions.

Digital connectivity and advances in mobile technology, such as 5G, mean that the cities, towns, and even villages in which we live are changing. Never before has there been a better time to make people more connected.

And when that connectivity is combined with data driven innovation and the Internet of Things there is a real opportunity to deliver smarter digital public services that make a difference to people’s lives. IntechnologySmartCities are proud to be playing a part in this digital transformation.