Belfast citizens and visitors will soon be switching on to free wi-fi throughout the city as our digital transformation continues.

By the end of March more than 100 public city venues will offer free internet access including City Hall, Belfast Waterfront and St George’s Market, as well as non-council owned buildings such as Laganside and Royal Courts and Northern Ireland Housing Executive offices.

The service is now available at nine venues, including the Ulster Hall and Belfast Castle.

The BelfastWi-Fi network is the latest initiative to be delivered through the Super Connected Belfast programme, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Urban Broadband Fund and the council’s own Investment Programme for the city.

Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon said: “With 70 per cent of us now owning a smartphone or other wi-fi enabled device, it’s vital that our venues keep up to date with changing trends and meet the demands and expectations of the people who use them.

“This network of wi-fi hotspots will eventually reach into every corner of the city, and make it easier for citizens, businesses and visitors to check their emails, access social media and surf the web – all for free.”

DUP councillor Lee Reynolds, chair of the strategic policy and resources committee, said the rollout of the BelfastWi-Fi network underlined the city’s ambition to create a world-class digital infrastructure.

He said: “Belfast is one of 21 Super Connected Cities in the UK, with a total of £16.7 million being spent to develop our connectivity and attract more jobs and investment here.”

He said citizens should take advantage of “a programme of digital inclusion activities” running at IT hubs.