InLink free Wi-Fi stations take Belfast by storm

Free Wi-Fi stations installed throughout Belfast have been heavily used and are proving popular with both city workers and tourists.

Last month saw the introduction of several InLink base stations throughout Belfast, providing not only free Wi-Fi to city workers and tourists but also a whole host of other services. The scheme from BT and InLinkUK saw eight of the units installed throughout the city, with two in the Queen's University area and six more throughout the city centre and main shopping areas.

The devices have proven popular with tourists whose network may not have data coverage in the area, and built-in touch tablets let tourists look up maps and directions on the go. The units also have USB ports for free phone charging, allow free phone calls, and have a dedicated button to dial 999 in the event of an emergency.

Payphone units across the UK are rapidly being replaced with the InLink units, which take up less space and provide their services to users for free. The scheme operates instead on an advertising-based model, with the unit's large screen providing high-quality video advertising opportunities in areas with high footfall.

In the past month, 36,000 unique devices have reportedly connected to InLink units in Belfast, using 798.5GB of data. The busiest unit in the city so far has been the one on Donegall Place, which has been connected to and used by 13,570 different devices. Plans for a new Cornmarket unit are currently underway, and further units may be installed in other cities as the scheme continues to roll out in partnership with BT.

Source: Written based on press release