21 August 2017

Cisco says its Aironet 1560 Series APs will provide the throughput capacity needed for the network.

O2 has chosen Cisco as its project partner to rollout free, public access Wi-Fi in the City of London. 

Earlier this year, the City of London Corporation named Cornerstone Telecommunication Infrastructure (CTIL) and O2 as the companies that will introduce and manage the network (see News, April 2017 issue). The multi-million pound project will be one of the largest investments in wireless infrastructure ever seen in the capital.

This latest development will see Cisco deploying next-generation outdoor access point technology to offer internet connectivity to more than 400,000 people working in the Square Mile. The company will deploy its Aironet 1560 Series and claims these will provide the throughput capacity needed for today’s bandwidth-hungry devices. Combined with O2’s network, it says the technology will deliver the flexibility to balance the demand for wireless coverage with seamless deployment. 

By utilising Cisco’s technology, the partners say their aim is to build a network that is more technically advanced than those found in other leading global financial centres, such as New York and Singapore.

“Continued investment in infrastructure is essential to maintain the UK’s reputation as a digital leader, and we needed a partner that would be able to provide cutting-edge technology to help us realise this,” says O2 COO Derek McManus.

Cisco believes that free Wi-Fi connectivity is now a pre-requisite for any city looking to drive innovation and compete on a global scale.

The project will replace the current Wi-Fi service provided by The Cloud, and is expected to be fully operational by Autumn 2017.