Woodbridge and Southwold see free WiFi launches following Felixtowe and Lowestoft
Free public WiFi has been launched in two Suffolk towns as a council looks to increase digital services and boost economies.
Woodbridge and Southwold are the latest to receive town centre public internet connections as East Suffolk Council looks to bolster connectivity between its market towns.
This follows the launch of similar networks in Lowestoft and Felixtowe, with several more planned for the future.
The Wi-Fi in Woodbridge covers The Thoroughfare, including the library and car park, and Market Hill.
In Southwold it can be accessed along North Parade, from the Pier to East Street, and then along the High Street.
It is part of the East Suffolk Digital Towns programme, which looks to digitally transform the district's towns.
This involves the installation of free public WiFi and technology such as digital footfall counters, which allow for businesses to track their daily number of customers.
It will also see the creation of platforms for town marketing and a business support programme.
The WiFi services are being provided by Elephant WiFi, which specialises in providing internet for high streets.
Cllr Stephen Burroughes, East Suffolk’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Operational Partnerships and Digital Transformation, said: “This is the latest ‘switch-on’ for free Wi-Fi zones in East Suffolk and both Southwold and Woodbridge will be able to enjoy the benefits already being enjoyed elsewhere in the district.
"This will make it easy for visitors and local people to get online when out and about. It is a digital scheme which we are really proud of.”
The scheme will allow the authority to understand the number of visitors to the towns, the busiest periods, the average time people spend in the town centre and much more.
Woodbridge Town Councillor Geoff Holdcroft said: “The Digital Towns programme is a great boost to the town. Not only will shoppers and visitors enjoy free connectivity, but we will also have the helpful information and marketing that can be used to support our high street.
He added: "This is a great example of the local authority and businesses working together for the greater good.”
A provisional date of October has been earmarked for public WiFi to be available in six more towns.
Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Aldeburgh, Leiston and Saxmundham are the focus of the council's next efforts.
East Suffolk Council is also working alongside walking app Go Jauntly to create outdoor adventures at 12 towns and villages in the county.
