Navan gets smarter with free Wi-Fi on the way

Plans by Navan Chamber of Commerce to introduce safe controlled free public Wi-Fi in Navan town are at an advanced stage.
It is hoped the free Wi-Fi will be up and running in the coming months and Navan Chamber have already spent several months researching and developing the project. The project would see anybody with a smart phone, tablet or computer in the covered area being able to log on to the network for free.
Navan Chamber sees great potential in this project both long and short term to have a very positive effect on Navan. Chamber president, Paul McGlynn sees great benefits for the business community and to everyone living in the locality.
“Offering free Wi-Fi in Navan Town will offer another string to Navan’s impressive retail offer of local retailers and multinational outlets. It is hoped the free Wi-Fi will attract more people from the local community and hinterland to shop local in Navan town.”
According to Chamber vice president Frank Harrington, Navan can promote tourism with the provision of free Wi-Fi, allowing tourists to avoid expensive roaming charges.
He added: “Combined with a well-planned marketing campaign we hope to encourage tourists to base themselves in Navan while exploring the Boyne Valley,” he said.
“Offering free Wi-Fi in Navan town also sends out a positive message to the major businesses seeking to choose a location to set up in Ireland. Navan can offer a high quality tech savy work force to multinationals looking to set up or expand operations in Ireland. Navan can also offer bespoke communication packages for multinationals with specific needs availing of the dark fibre broadband network in the town while their employees can benefit from free Wi-Fi anywhere in the town centre.”
Navan Chamber hope to see this project become a reality within the next few months and to this end will be approaching local authorities, government and businesses for their support both on a practical and financial basis.
“With the desired level of support and promotion behind the project, we can show Navan as a progressive and forward thinking town. Through landing pages and websites we can allow local businesses to collectively advertise, use on line tokens and vouchers. With the potential to allow local business, authorities and organisations to connect and join up on a centralised network and promote Navan,” said Mr McGlynn.
Navan Chamber will hold an open meeting on 10th March in The Central’s Vintage Lounge at 6.30pm to provide more details of the project and to answer any questions that arise
SORD Data, the company carrying out the installation of the project will be presenting at the meeting. Any queries in relation to the project should be directed to Eddie Byrne at the Chamber office and can be contacted on (046) 9023330 or email info@navanchamber.ie
The initiative was welcomed by Navan councillor Shane Cassells who described it as “a real boost” in the efforts to market the town.
“The roll out of free public Wi-Fi across the town would be a significant boost to both the social and economic fabric of the town,” he said.
“It gives Navan the chance to offer itself as a ‘smart’ town and it can only be good for business and most importantly the public.