Where we started

We built upon the Smart Place Pilot - a project which started at Lansdowne, Bournemouth, providing fast affordable internet access to the regeneration area.

Where we are now

We have further developed and expanded on our Smart Place programme which has now rolled out to Boscombe to provide fast affordable internet access to the regeneration area and develop a better virtually connected community.

We are deploying a highly innovative 5G network including new fibre-optic cabling and hardware to provide faster access to the internet and a high-speed free public Wi-Fi network in some parts of Boscombe. These are part of ongoing plans to transform the town and create more jobs and homes for local people, attracting new digital and creative businesses and encouraging investors and employers to the area.

Residents, visitors and businesses in and around central Boscombe are now able to access fast free public Wi-Fi. With speeds of up to 200Mbps, the extremely fast Wi-Fi is three times faster than the average home broadband and is available to access in the following public space areas:

• Boscombe Precinct (pedestrianised section of Christchurch Road)
• westwards along Christchurch Road as far as Boscombe Crescent.

This can be accessed in Boscombe by selecting: Smart Place Free Wi-Fi

My Boscombe is a new local app for the Boscombe community, delivering valuable information to local residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

We are currently installing ducting and fibre ducting from Boscombe Precinct down Sea Road to the seafront, and between Boscombe Crescent and Kings Park.

Once this is installed, Smart Place plan to:

• provide free (external) public Wi-Fi along those roads where fibre is being installed
• provide free public Wi-Fi along the Boscombe seafront and within Kings Park and Churchill Gardens
• provide wireless connectivity for new technologies such as devices that help people to live independently in their own homes and remote health monitoring
• provide better and more cost-effective connectivity to CCTV cameras to help improve security.