Free town centre Wi-Fi will be available in Wellington by the spring of next year. The initiative is funded by Taunton Deane council and will also be installed in the centres of Wiveliscombe and Taunton.
According to Ian Timms, TDBC economic development manager, the technical specifications are now going out to suppliers with the aim of contracts being signed before Christmas and completion within six months.
The service will give shoppers and visitors email and internet access on smartphones and tablets in South St, North St, Fore St and High St. Around 20 small transmitters will be mounted above street level, often using existing CCTV installations.
Depending on the strength of signal the wifi should reach into pubs and coffee shops, ending the current reliance on often patchy 3G coverage.