Our Balbriggan Wi-Fi launch - Our Balbriggan

Our Balbriggan Wi-Fi launch

More great news for the locals of Balbriggan today; the town centre of Balbriggan is set to become a free public Wi-Fi zone, the first location on the east coast to launch such a programme.

The groundbreaking scheme was officially launched today at the Bracken Court Hotel by the Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Anthony Lavin.

Powered by Magnet Networks, Our Balbriggan Free Town Wi-Fi is the latest step in the transformation programme which is set to change the face of Ireland’s youngest town.

High-speed Wi-Fi will be available to all those visiting Balbriggan Town Centre. This unique initiative is free and unlimited, potentially positioning Balbriggan at the forefront of smart technology.

Local businesses along the route have allowed Magnet Networks to install access points on their premises, providing seamless connectivity within the town centre.

Each Our Balbriggan Free Town Wi-Fi access point can handle 250 simultaneous connections, providing a quality service to pedestrians and businesses within the town centre.

The Plan also sees the rollout of the Smart Bench pilot – supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development.

A number of solar powered, Wi-Fi enabled benches with wireless charging facilities and environmental sensors will be deployed in a number of locations across the county, the first of which have been deployed in Balbriggan.

This high-quality service also has web-filtering to provide secure access for the young people of Balbriggan.

The installation of town centre Wi-Fi is the first step in transforming the retail and cultural heart of Balbriggan, according to Prof Brian MacCraith, Chair of the Balbriggan Leadership Group.

“As Ireland’s youngest town, we have the highest percentage of digital natives in the country. “The free Our Balbriggan Wi-Fi will be critical to attracting people and businesses to a reimagined town centre and helping us meet future challenges.” said Prof MacCraith.

Local businesses along the route have allowed Magnet Networks to install access points on their premises, providing seamless connectivity within the town centre.

“The beauty of Magnet Networks’ free Wi-Fi is that you only need to register once, so business visitors and tourists will automatically enjoy free connectivity for their entire stay,” said Magnet Networks Managing Director Ireland Stephen Brewer.

“As the project is financed by giving local businesses the opportunity to sponsor the Wi-Fi and send promotional offers, local users and visitors can be directed to attractions or places to eat and drink.

“For example, if a local restaurant sponsors the Wi-Fi, they are able to send out a coupon at a set time to everyone who has logged on that day giving them 10% off.”

The launch of Balbriggan’s Wi-Fi forms part of the Council’s wider Public Wi-Fi Plan which will see the rollout of free public Wi-Fi hotspots in smaller towns and villages across the county, a scheme supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development.