WI-FI CITY
Philadelphia first in world to have wireless internet for all
ONE of the largest cities in America is to provide cheap wireless internet access to all its residents.
Philadelphia will become the first ever "wireless city" next year under a new deal that will see people pay as little as £5.50 a month to go online.
All 135 square miles of the city will be covered by the technology, commonly known as wi-fi.
Ben Scott, who has been leading the campaign, said: "Increasingly, city officials view broadband in the 21st century the same way they viewed electricity 100 years ago and the telephone service 50 years ago. It is falling into the category of a necessary and essential social service."
Fast internet access is seen as essential for education and economic growth. People on low incomes will pay only $10 a month for broadband access from next autumn.
Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the US with a population of around 1.6million.
Mirror
