Bridgend Council has agreed funding for free Wi-Fi in Bridgend, Porthcawl, Pencoed and Maesteg town centres as part of a wider upgrade of the county’s CCTV network.
Proposals for a combined CCTV and Wi-Fi upgrade were put forward in May 2021.
The report at the time suggested the new cameras could be used to monitor air quality, improve the management of short-term car parking spaces, detect open doors and smoke, notify the council when bins need to be emptied and be used to piggyback free public Wi-Fi. It’s believed free Wi-Fi will make town centres more attractive places to work and visit.
“The free and unlimited Wi-Fi offer forms part of a wider initiative the local authority is working on, helping to create a Smart Borough using digital technologies for the benefit of residents and businesses in the area.”
– Deputy Council Leader, Cllr. Hywel Williams (Lab, Blackmill)
The cost of the entire project was estimated at up to £600,000. However, it would result in a £20,000 saving in running costs compared to the existing CCTV network.
At October’s full council meeting, councillors approved contributing £72,000 towards the Wi-Fi element. It’s unclear if this means that the rest of the money has been found elsewhere.
