Launched in June 2022, a new public Wi-Fi service at Copr Bay in Swansea boasts some of the country’s top public Wi-Fi speeds. Verified from 800-960 Mbps, it’s claimed as the fastest public-sector commissioned connectivity service.
It supports Swansea Council’s smart city services and is available to third-party commercial and public sector organisations. As a live smart city testbed, it’s used to trial advanced smart city solutions.
The public Wi-Fi service is a partnership with Swansea Council and Vodafone. Wi-Fi software and engineering services are provided by GlobalReach Technology.
High-Performance Outdoor Wi-Fi Network
Providing free, ultra-fast public Wi-Fi to an area including a 1.1-acre coastal park and the area surrounding Swansea Arena, the programme is part of a regional full-fibre connectivity programme. It attracts investment and creates efficient remote working. It supports Swansea’s aspiration to be a centre of excellence for students, visitors and startups.
The Wi-Fi requires no forms to fill in. Users get online with a simple click to connect user experience. Two different branded captive portals are shown depending on location. Continuous speed test monitoring is built-in to maintain excellent service levels.
Swansea Council also uses the Wi-Fi 6 network to support applications like ticket machines, car park barriers, CCTV cameras and local business connectivity. This provides economies of scale and a lower total cost of ownership.
Additional Opportunities
The ‘digital-ready infrastructure’ is also available to fibre ISPs looking to provide connectivity. The infrastructure is already offered and used by international organisations to test and prove their smart city solutions.
Service Infrastructure:
- Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi 6 network
- Fibre LAN infrastructure supporting thousands of synchronous visitors and businesses
- ‘Click-to-connect’ one-time login
- Wi-Fi 6E overlay supports IoT devices and smart city sensors
- Vodafone Direct Internet Access (DIA) backhaul is capable of supporting terabits of capacity
- Content filtering
- Custom design using media converters that convert fibre to power over ethernet (POE) to all access points located in strategically placed lamp posts across the area, enabling the Wi-Fi signal to cover greater distances at higher speeds
- Wi-Fi infrastructure is designed to be easily extended across the city
“This strategic program provides some of the best public Wi-Fi speeds ever recorded, enabling the Council to use the infrastructure for their services, and offers a unique live network for other public and private sector organisations looking to advance smart city applications. There isn’t another testbed like Copr Bay and we’re already attracting attention from potential overseas Digital Twin cities.”
Project lead, Jonathan Hernandez, Kazanjo Systems