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The Cloud is launching a major initiative to expand its city Wi-Fi operations across Europe. Its dedicated Metro Wi-Fi business unit, headed up by Ben van Dongen in Amsterdam, is investing in a program to bring city-wide Wi-Fi networks to cities across Europe over the next two years and is currently actively engaged with more than 30 cities.

The initiative has been launched in response to the growing demand for city-wide Wi-Fi networks in Europe, the emergence of Wi-Fi in portable devices used by millions of people across Europe, and growing demand for next-generation applications including voice over the internet, entertainment and broadband Internet applications on the move. This demand is evidenced by significant numbers of RFPs from cities like Paris and Prague and recent deployments in Norwich, Milton Keynes and increased usage on The Cloud’s networks in Amsterdam and Canary Wharf. Further evidence of the importance of wireless networks to municipalities around Europe is the gathering of more than 150 city representatives at the Wireless Cities Congress in Cannes at the end of November.

By 2008 it is estimated that there will be more than 160 million Wi-Fi-enabled devices in Western Europe, which represents one-third of Western European mobile consumers. Numerous cities are, therefore, looking at introducing Wi-Fi networks to meet the increasing demand for high quality, high availability services that enrich the lives of their citizens and enhance the level of service they offer, as well as meeting the city’s own connectivity requirements.

City Wi-Fi solutions offer diverse opportunities to enhance public services, increase the productivity of city workers, support local businesses and offer cutting-edge wireless connectivity to citizens and visitors. WiFi technology is also helping bridge digital divides in communities and meet government’s electronic services targets.

Ben van Dongen, managing director for Metro WiFi at The Cloud, commented: “We established our Metro WiFi business earlier this year when we identified a significant opportunity across Europe for open city WiFi networks. We are now ready to build networks in any major European city. The Cloud has a proven track record and deep credentials in the open network world, and we can help any city have world-leading technology that can support public access and public sector applications. If a city wants to offer its citizens an open network with the widest possible range of services, applications and devices, then The Cloud is the perfect partner to help them position themselves as a 21st century city.”