Free Wifi goes live in Peterborough city centre

Free Wifi goes live in Peterborough city centre

Free public access CambWifi is now live in Peterborough city centre streets and open spaces to support businesses, keep residents connected and allow shoppers and visitors to make the most of café culture. 

Thanks to funding from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, the secure public access network has been installed through the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme to support Peterborough Positive and the city’s new business improvement district. 

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, said:  

“A key goal for the Combined Authority is to make life better all across our county, fostering community-centred growth that is beneficial and can be relied on into the future. 

“In funding the CambWifi rollout through the streets and open spaces of Peterborough’s city centre, we’re helping Peterborough shout the message that it’s open for business.  We’re helping local traders to plug into today’s technology and sharing a huge social benefit that contributes to a better-connected community with more engagement between residents, visitors, and local traders. 

“It also gives more freedom to the people of Peterborough, offering access to the internet without cost while out and about. It’s something for everyone, whether using it for business or social reasons. And it’s especially advantageous for people in Peterborough who don’t yet have internet at home.” 

CambWifi provides secure internet access and free data to help everyone stay connected in the city’s streets and open spaces including Bridge Street, Broadway, Cathedral Square, Long Causeway and Westgate. 

CambWifi is safe and easy to join. Simply connect to ‘CambWifi_Public’ via your device’s Wifi settings, accept the Terms, click ‘Log In’ and start browsing. Users will then be connected automatically to free internet access in all CambWifi locations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. 

The secure network is already widely available in public buildings, libraries and leisure centres across the county, plus a growing number of Cambridgeshire market town centres, open spaces, park & ride sites and village halls, so that more people can get online for free. 

As well as keeping people in touch and backing local businesses, the free Wifi supports ongoing covid recovery-related measures such as contactless payments, using food and drink-ordering apps and being able to access public services, travel information and the latest local health advice and support while on the go. 

Business and community leaders have welcomed the provision of free CambWifi, which recognises the importance of digital connectivity to support businesses and communities and for the future prosperity of the region. 

Mark Broadhead, Chair, Peterborough Positive, which launched four concept covid-safe pods last year and outdoor seating areas to stimulate café culture in the city centre, said: 

 “Our café culture initiative has been bringing about positive change in Peterborough for the last twelve months by attracting more people into the city and the free CambWifi will be an extra draw for workers, residents and visitors. We hope the project will help to retain hospitality and retail jobs and improve business productivity.” 

Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “In the past few years our city centre has been transformed with new life breathed into Cathedral Square, Bridge Street and many other areas. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support businesses and the visitors they serve and providing access to public access CambWifi strengthens the regeneration of Peterborough. 

“Our café culture approach is perfect for increasing the number of people who can eat and drink in our city centre, and the benefit of having free Wifi extends the length of time people will dwell in our thriving city. I want to give credit to both Peterborough Positive and the businesses involved who have helped to develop this and the Combined Authority who have delivered the funding to make this happen.” 

How to access CambWifi   

It’s safe and simple to join: 

1. Find ‘CambWifi_Public‘ in your device’s Wifi settings and connect. 

1. Read and accept the Terms. 

1. Click the ‘Log In’ button. 

You’ll now be connected to the free Wifi service automatically whenever you’re in a CambWifi location. 

Look out for the round, purple floor stickers that will soon be appearing in Peterborough city centre to show where CambWifi is available. Otherwise check the CambWifi coverage map or find answers to frequently asked questions about the network on the Connecting Cambridgeshire website www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk/cambwifi