Adshel signs deal to roll out Internet booths nationwide

Adshel has tied up a deal with local authorities to provide interactive terminals where residents will be able to pay TV licences, and eventually council tax bills and fines.

The company has agreed to roll out “i-plus” information booths in towns and cities across the country in return for advertising space, as part of the Government’s initiative to offer Internet access to the entire UK population.

Adshel has joined forces with new media technology specialist Cityspace, which has developed the i-plus touch screen information channel.

The i-plus terminals – already installed in several London boroughs – offer free Internet access. People can send e-mails, order tickets and access maps and local information such as job vacancies.

The initial TV licence service is the first in a string of planned initiatives by Adshel and Cityspace that are being backed by the Government.

Residents will soon be able to pay rent, council tax and fines to local authorities at i-plus points. The roll-out will result in 1,000 i-plus booths being installed nationwide.

A spokesman for Cityspace says the initiative is part of the Government’s drive to ensure a quarter of local authorities have online services by 2002. Under its UK Online programme, the Government is promising that the entire population will have access to the Internet by 2005.