WATCH: Free Inverness WIFI goes live
1,600 people connect to Highland capital's free public internet
Last updated 7th Feb 2017
Have you connected to the free public WIFI internet in Inverness that has been switched on since December?
The Ness WiFi network is free for all users and has no restrictions on how long you can use it for.
It has cost ÂŁ500,000 to get it up and running in the centre of the Highland capital, and so far 71-people are connecting to it every day.
That is 1,600 people so far, but the council's director of development and infrastructure, Stuart Black, told MFR News, that number is expected to soar: "We launched it just before Christmas, and the first lot of users were round about 1,600 people; coming from all over the world - Chinese, Australian, Mexican, Italian, European.
"Free public WIFI is becoming ever more important as people access visitor information using the internet.
"It's also important for local traders to use it.
"Some of our visitors to Inverness are obviously backpackers, also for business people in Inverness - they can log on quickly as they come off the train.
"It's also operating in Church Street, Union Street, Queensgate, and parts of Falcon Square, so it's going to be rolled out across the whole city centre during the course of April and May."
"The benefit of easy access to free, fast internet connection will be enormous for shoppers, tourists and businesses" PROVOST HELEN CARMICHAEL
The first phase of the Inverness City WiFi project is currently providing fast internet coverage in a pilot area including the Victorian Market, Falcon Square, and surrounding streets.
It was previewed by Lord Andrew Dunlop, from the UK Government's Scotland Office, in December last year, and has since been undergoing a period of testing, with a full city centre roll-out expected in the summer, later this year.
Provost of Inverness, Helen Carmichael told MFR News: "I am delighted to see this exciting project get underway.
"The benefit of easy access to free, fast internet connection will be enormous for shoppers, tourists, and businesses.
"So much of what we do depends on the internet, whether you are looking for directions, checking emails, searching for accommodation, booking a restaurant or show, or chatting with friends or colleagues."
WATCH: You don't have to be stood in just one spot to receive the new free public WIFI, which is good news for Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael...