Purple announced it has partnered with Newcastle City Council to deliver an extensive city-wide Wi-Fi network for residents, students and visitors. With the rollout of free Wi-Fi across Council buildings and other participating venues, including gyms, libraries, commercial buildings and public spaces, the partnership will transform Newcastle into one of the UK’s most digitally inclusive and connected cities.
Powered by the Purple ConneX App, Purple’s new app designed to connect people more seamlessly to public Wi-Fi networks, the initiative will create a seamless, secure and dense network of connected locations throughout the city. Users will connect once and roam freely across hundreds of hotspots without repeated logins, removing the frustration and security risks associated with fragmented, public Wi-Fi.
“Even with near-universal broadband coverage, not everyone can afford reliable access on the go,” said Cllr. Paul Frew, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for Resources and Performance: “We’ve used government funding to improve our free public Wi-Fi offer to improve performance for residents, and this new partnership will enable us to further tackle digital poverty and give residents free access in more places.
“This project is about fairness as much as technology,” he said. “Seamless, free connectivity helps level the playing field, ensuring no one in Newcastle is left behind in the digital age. It also supports our ambitions to be more evidence-led and data-driven. The insights gained by working with Purple will allow us to better understand people’s use of public Wi-Fi and how we can deliver the best possible service for residents, businesses and visitors.”
To mark the launch, drive awareness of the app and encourage engagement with the city’s digital infrastructure, Purple will host a city-wide digital ‘Egg Hunt.’ Five eggs worth £1,000 each will be hidden across the city and can be claimed by joining a Wi-Fi network via the Purple ConneX App or adding a new venue to the network.
To accelerate adoption, Purple is giving away £120,000 of free Wi-Fi hardware and licenses to 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses. This will equip local businesses with not only connectivity, but also location analytics and customer insights that turn free Wi-Fi into a marketing tool for growth.
“Newcastle is home to more than 53,000 businesses, including one of the fastest-growing SME sectors in the UK,” said Gavin Wheeldon, CEO, Purple. “Local businesses face mounting pressures from rising costs, and this initiative arms them with the digital intelligence to attract more customers and compete in a tough market.”
By combining digital inclusion with economic growth, Newcastle is setting the standard for future “smart cities.” The unified Wi-Fi network creates a foundation for real-time data insights, better urban planning and new smart applications while ensuring connectivity is fair, accessible and beneficial to everyone.
“This collaboration represents a significant step in the city’s ongoing commitment to furthering our reputation as a leader in digital innovation, connected tourism and regional growth, while encouraging widespread adoption of secure, city-wide connectivity,” Cllr. Frew said.
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