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Liberate Birmingham, in association with Intel Centrino.

BT Wireless Cities will help Birmingham Council transform the way they deliver public services by enabling a range of pioneering initiatives across the city centre.

Transforming a city

The launch of extensive Wi-Fi coverage in the city centre will enable people with laptops, mobile phones, handheld computers and gaming devices that use Wi-Fi to access information and services from the City Council through an internet portal.

On the streets

Wireless cities will bring exciting changes to the way that council services are delivered on the street. These include:

Wireless CCTV

Wireless CCTV cameras are faster and easier to redeploy than traditional fixed CCTV cameras. They can be relocated quickly and cheaply to problem areas as they are identified to give wider and more flexible coverage. Real-time footage can be viewed by the police through wireless handheld devices, creating a safer street environment. Wireless CCTV can also be used to monitor parking congestion and parking attendants can be quickly deployed to problem areas.

Street wardens

Birmingham street wardens will have mobile devices which will enable them to provide more efficient and accurate face-to-face assistance and security for citizens visitors and business-owners in central Birmingham. In addition they will be able to report any problems with graffiti, rubbish and fly-posting, more quickly enabling a faster response.

New ways of learning and working

'Walled Garden'

This will allow anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled device to access information and services from the Birmingham council websites at no charge through an internet portal.

Information on the go

The Wi-Fi network will enable the council to provide free wireless access to educational information anywhere within the city centre including to the city's 50,000 higher education students, using the same technology that is used in many schools and colleges.

Staying in touch

As well as free services, people will be able to buy vouchers or subscribe to innovative services such as BT Openzone and Fusion, and a range of new applications and services for consumers and business. So they will be able to remain contactable, access broadband wirelessly and surf the web while on the move.

* One voucher per person. Voucher must be redeemed within 30 days of registration and used by 31 March 2008. Non transferable and minutes cannot be carried over. Wireless-enabled equipment required. Minutes can be used in hotspots, subject to coverage. Conditions apply.