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Galway, Ireland

Galway welcomes visitors with the largest free Wi-Fi zone in Ireland

Galway welcomes visitors with the largest free Wi-Fi zone in Ireland

The scheme, implemented through public-private partnership between Magnet Networks and Galway City Council is the first of its kind in the country

Galway have added yet another accolade to its list of acknowledgements, including European Capital of Culture 2020 (in tandem with Rijeka, Croatia) and Fourth Best City in the world to visit according to Lonely Planet. The picturesque Irish city has just been declared the one with the largest free Wi-Fi network in Ireland, local media reported.

This became a fact after Galway’s Free Wi-Fi zone received a new extension this week which almost trebled the number of access points - from 13 to 35. Many of these points have been installed by Internet provider Magnet Networks on the premises of local businesses interested in fast and secure connectivity.

So, the high-speed service now provides Wi-Fi to the city centre, East Village, Latin Quarter, West End and Wood Quay. According to Magnet Networks data, more than 150,000 people have already tuned in. Usage has trebled in 2019 and will go up further following the new network expansion.  

Prime example of public-private partnership

The scheme, which has been implemented through public-private partnership between Magnet Networks and Galway City Council, is the first of its kind in Ireland. It is operated in conjunction with the Galway City Business Association.

Association chairman Cormac McGuckian said during the opening ceremony of the new extension: “This service is amazing and allows Galway to extend a welcome handshake to thousands of commuters, consumers and tourists every day. We have never been so connected to our visitors as we are now, with global eyes on Galway after Lonely Planet listed us as the fourth best city in the world to visit. Galway Free Wi-Fi allows us to guide users around events, attractions and businesses, as well as encouraging people to stay longer within the served areas. It also gives us vital GDPR-compliant information, which helps us analyse footfall and traffic issues for the benefit of all.”

Magnet Networks provides free Wi-Fi services to 8 other towns in Ireland and top venues such as  London’s SSE Arena and Wembley Stadium.

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