aql to Deploy 'Blue Box' Free Wifi Interactive Kiosks in Leeds

LEEDS, England, June 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Leeds based telecommunications company, aql, have announced plans to deploy restored 1930s phone boxes in and around South Leeds and the city centre as part of their metropolitan network rollout.

The boxes are 'recycled' classic 'K6' phone boxes as designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott - who was also the designer of Battersea Power station, Waterloo Bridge and Liverpool Cathedral.  But with a twist… the boxes will be blue!

The boxes will also be 'green' - in terms of technology rather than colour. They are designed to be a low-impact installation and will be solar powered rather than need to dig up the streets to install mains and network.

Dr Adam Beaumont, aql's CEO says: "We've designed the boxes to house a unique low energy, high bandwidth network, which will allow unmetered, free wifi access to anyone within the vicinity.  

"We know Leeds City Council is rolling out free wifi within parts of the City Centre, but we're dedicated to filling in the gaps and to rolling out services within South Leeds to help catalyse growth in the area."  

aql have just invested in another site on the outskirts of Beeston which will allow them to roll out connectivity to areas of Hunslet further South.  The iconic Blue Boxes will let users know that there is free wifi in the vicinity.

Although you can't actually get inside the boxes because they hold aql's network equipment, they will also allow users to make phone calls via touch screens on the outside, including 999 calls. This also makes them easier to clean and maintain. The boxes will also feature an interactive screen allowing users to leave video blogs and messages to share their memories about the area where each box is located.

Dr Beaumont stated: "The plan is to create an archive of people's memories of important parts of Leeds.The aim is to then make that content accessible online in a similar manner to the Leodis.org photo archive. Our name for the boxes themselves is also to be 'LEODIS'.

Lurene Joseph, Chief Executive of Leeds and Partners, said: "These boxes are a great illustration of Leeds' digital ability and confidence and will be another excellent part of the city's infrastructure. They're forward looking, innovative but rooted in strong traditions and are another example of an ambitious young company driving forward enterprise, jobs and opportunity in Leeds."

Notes to Editor:

The Leodis photo archive is at http://www.leodis.org/

Leodis is an old name for Leeds.

Any mention of aql should be used in lowercase letters as it is a trademarked name and device of (aq) ltd.

aql is a UK regulated telecommunications and datacentre operator based in the centre of Leeds. Established in 1998, aql specialise in providing a wide range of innovative wholesale telecommunications solutions including mobile SMS text messaging and IP telephony.

More information about aql is available at http://www.aql.com