Thames plays home to free mesh Wi-Fi

Those keen to use the wireless web for work or play while they're enjoying the delights of the Thames riverbank will now have access to a Wi-Fi mesh network, so long as they don't mind watching a short advert every 15 minutes in return for free access.

Online-4-free.com offers free access over a 22km (13.7 miles) area stretching from Greenwich to Millbank for those spending time in cafes, hotels, offices and restaurants along the riverside in addition to those floating down the river in boats.

It's the brainchild of MesHopper, the company behind the Thames Online service, a Wi-Fi mesh network spanning the same area but offering ad-free usage for a fee, which has teamed up with free-hotspot.com to offer the no-charge access.

Users can take advantage of the free service for as long as they want if they're happy to consume a 15-30 second sponsored advert every quarter of an hour. If they'd rather not be subjected to advertising, they can still take advantage of the paid-for service, which costs £2.95 and £5.95 for an hour or day as a pay-as-you-go customer or £7.95 and £9.95 respectively for a weekly or monthly subscription.

"The market asked us for free Wi-Fi and we listened," said Nigel Wesley, MesHopper's chief executive.

"Since 2005, we've been opening up digital access with affordable Wi-Fi offers. This free service will broaden our appeal further and make internet access available to everyone, even those who are not willing or not able to pay."

"This really marks the arrival of free Wi-Fi in greater London," added Dan Toomey, chief executive of free-hotspot.com.

"Millions of Londoners as well as commuters, visitors and tourists can now expect to find free Wi-Fi as they work or play along the Thames. We look forward to working with online-4-free.com to ensure the success of the service here in London as well as in other cities throughout Europe."

MesHopper plans to extend its network reach to 36km (22.4 miles) next month in addition to rolling out the service in Manchester where it has already built a 5km (3.1 miles) square network spanning the city centre.

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