O2 has signed a deal with Newark and Sherwood District Council to provide the market town of Newark with free outdoor public WiFi.
The mobile operator already provides free public outdoor WiFi across parts of London.
Residents, shoppers and visitors to Newark will have access to the service regardless of their mobile phone provider. Once registered, Newark users will also be automatically connected each time they enter a coverage area in one of over 9,000 O2 hotspots across the UK.
O2 will begin installing the WiFi technology in January 2014 on the street furniture and buildings in the town centre around Newark Castle, the Market Square and Appletongate.
The cost of the equipment, installation and maintenance will be shared between the council and O2. Newark and Sherwood District Council will coordinate and commission any maintenance and repair through its own contractor on behalf of O2.
The availability of free WiFi will support key town centre activities such as retail promotion, tourism and information about town centre facilities.
Andrew Muter, chief executive of Newark & Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Newark. Free WiFi will be a great boost for the town centre and will support our efforts to bring more visitors into the district.”
Both Birmingham and Leeds city councils have free public WiFi contracts with Virgin.