The Swindon Borough Council has reportedly completed the first phase in its bold plan to install a wireless ( Wi-Fi ) broadband mesh covering the whole borough with free internet access. The project was first announced in November last year (here).

The £1m funded scheme, a joint venture between the council and commercial telecoms firm Digital City (aka - Signal), is understood to have initially suffered some delays due to the January snow storms. However, according to LGC Plus, completion of the network serving 3,500 homes in the Highworth area is now believed to be complete.

It will take the installation of around 1,400 access points to cover the whole area (186,000 citizens) and Signal will supply wireless repeaters that can be installed in windows to boost the signal around homes. The rollout only begins in Highworth and the whole Borough of Swindon should be connected by late April or May 2010.

The service allows everyone to register and use up to 2 hours of free and unlimited internet access or pay £9.99 for a faster 24/7 provision.