The City of London Corporation is to build a small cell network to provide an ultrafast wireless broadband service to replace its current free offering.
In giving the network the green light, the Corporation promised gigabit browsing speeds and to give users the ability to use high bandwidth services such as video streaming over a free network.
The project will be the largest single investment in wireless ever made in London and will go live in 2017. Its provider will be named in the next few weeks.
Chair of the City of London Corporation鈥檚 policy and resources committee, Mark Boleat, said: 鈥淎s the world鈥檚 leading financial hub, we are thrilled to bring our wireless connectivity up to speed.
鈥淎t a time when other major financial centres are competing with us, the Square Mile is boosting its appeal through initiatives such as this.鈥�
The Corporation will deploy over 400 small cells on sites such as lamp posts, street signage and buildings 鈥� boosting the strength and reliability of the current wireless network.
It hopes this will address many of the current mobile connectivity problems that exist in the city of London.
London鈥檚 deputy mayor for business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: 鈥淔ast and reliable digital connectivity is crucial for businesses, and I鈥檓 really pleased the City of London Corporation is taking this significant step in improving speed and coverage in the Square Mile.
鈥淭he Mayor is committed to improving London鈥檚 connectivity, including tackling the capital鈥檚 鈥榥otspots鈥� and ensuring providers have better access to public-sector property for digital infrastructure.鈥�