Paddick pledges free Wi-Fi for Londoners

Brian Paddick wants to close the gap between the digital 'haves' and 'have nots'

Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate in next week's election for Mayor of London, will roll out Wi-Fi hotspots to all public spaces across the capital if he wins.

The scheme will cover the "10 main inner London boroughs" offering repeatable sessions of one hour to stop users hogging networks by downloading movies and music files.

Costs for the scheme will come in at around £4.8m and will be rolled out further if "feedback is positive".

Connections will be restricted to speeds of 256Kbps so as not to compete with commercial Wi-Fi providers.

"If elected, I pledge to work with the private sector and local boroughs to make London the first Wi-Fi capital in the world," Paddick said on Wednesday.

"Access to the internet is access to knowledge, jobs and education and I will do all I can as Mayor to close the gap between the digital 'haves' and 'have nots'."

Paddick is also pledging to team up with computer recycling charities, including Computer Aid, in a bid to provide computer access to all Londoners.