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This week, Newcastle City Council has announced a new partership with global digital connectivity firm Purple to launch a unified city-wide Wi-Fi network.
The initiative provides free Wi-Fi access across various council buildings, gyms, libraries, commercial properties, and public spaces, positioning Newcastle among the UK’s most digitally connected cities. Users can access these hotspots through Purple’s ConneX App, guaranteeing users access to hundreds of Wi-Fi sites through a single sign-in.
“Even with near-universal broadband coverage, not everyone can afford reliable access on the go. We’ve used government funding to improve our free public Wi-Fi offer to improve performance for residents, and this new partnership will enable us to further tackle digital poverty and give residents free access in more places,” said said Cllr. Paul Frew, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for Resources and Performance. “This project is about fairness as much as technology.”
To encourage adoption and engagement with this new digital infrastructure, Purple is launching a city-wide digital ‘Egg Hunt,’ featuring five hidden eggs worth £1,000 each. Participation requires connecting to the Wi-Fi via the ConneX App or adding new venues to the network, creating an interactive incentive for users to explore and benefit from the expanded service.
As part of the initiative, Purple is also distributing £120,000 worth of free Wi-Fi hardware and licences to 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Newcastle. This not only enables businesses to offer free connectivity to customers but also gives them access to location analytics and customer insights.
“Newcastle is home to more than 53,000 businesses, including one of the fastest-growing SME sectors in the UK,” said Purple CEO Gavin Wheeldon. “Local businesses face mounting pressures from rising costs, and this initiative arms them with the digital intelligence to attract more customers and compete in a tough market.”
This project builds upon Newcastle’s long-standing efforts to enhance public connectivity. Since 2015, the city has expanded free Wi-Fi across public buildings, including the Civic Centre, libraries, and museums, with outdoor coverage extending to pedestrian routes through partnerships with local councils and infrastructure providers like BT. In 2018, Newcastle introduced ultrafast free Wi-Fi and free phone services through the InLinkUK initiative, further broadening digital access and convenience for residents and visitors.
How is the public sector tackling connectivity challenges in 2025? Join the discussion at Connected Britain later this month!
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This week, Newcastle City Council has announced a new partership with global digital connectivity firm
