Free public access wi-fi has been switched on in Northallerton town centre.
North Yorkshire County Council is rolling out the scheme in 16 market towns across the county.
The service has gone live this week in the first two towns — Northallerton and Leyburn — this week.
Officials say free public access wi-fi offers opportunities for people with limited or no broadband to access vital local council, government and health services and take part in the digital economy.
As part of the roll-out the county council is enabling access to Eduroam which allows anybody in research or education to access resources on the go.
The scheme is being paid for by a £3m investment from the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership as part of its allocation from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, added: “I welcome this start to our free public wi-fi project, which will help our residents to access information, our visitors to find out more about the local area, and businesses to promote their goods and services.
“This further addition to the county’s digital infrastructure will support town centre high street businesses as they compete against online retailers.
“We have invested up until now around £100m in digital connectivity, especially in rural areas, and we will continue that programme in the years ahead.”
David Dickson, hair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership infrastructure and joint assets board, said: “Improved digital connectivity is absolutely vital.
“It’s a key recommendation in the LEP’s 21st Century Towns report and in the region’s plans to be a greener, fairer and stronger economy as it emerges from the pandemic.
“It’s great to see this scheme’s continued progression.”
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