Wireless broadband in Reading set to allow mobile VoIP?

Workers in the Berkshire town of Reading may find they have even more opportunities to do their job outside of the office as the council is planning a Wi-Fi network in the town centre.

The wireless broadband system is to be set up by Reading borough council in partnership with Metranet Communications, with antennae installed on top of three of the area's tallest buildings.

Planning permission has just been granted for the scheme which has been partially financed by the South East England Development Agency, the Reading Evening Post reports.

The system has been set up primarily to allow local residents to check up on travel information online without having to find a computer or make a mobile phone call, however there may be wider applications for business use.

Having access to a Wi-Fi network should provide users access the internet across the centre of town, meaning they may be able to check their emails or log into their firm's secure IP PBX server and talk to clients over voice over internet protocol (VoIP) while being away from the office.