The City of London Corporation has recruited WiFi network operator The Cloud to install a wireless Internet network across London's financial district.
The Cloud, which is Europe's largest WiFi network operator, won a bid for the contract to install and manage the network, which is expected to go live in the next few months, with virtually all the Square Mile covered within six months.
The network will be installed in existing street furniture - including lamp posts and street signs - and will provide the City's 350,000 workers with on-the-move broadband Internet services.
The Cloud says the network is also designed to support secure access and private data networks for emergency services and other public services customers in the City of London such as transport authorities.
Michael Snyder, chairman of the City of London's policy committee, says: "We feel it is important to provide this technology to maintain our position as the world's leading international financial centre. City workers and visitors will be able to use wireless broadband to work more efficiently."
George Polk, CEO, The Cloud, adds: "Increasingly corporate users are turning to WiFi for a range of services, including converged voice services and we have strong demand from existing customers for coverage in high density and high profile locations like the City of London. We expect this trend to continue."
In August last year, The Cloud connected London business district Canary Wharf with a WiFi network.