The Italian city of Bologna is to offer free high-speed wi-fi beginning on 12 June, according to an announcement on its website.

The city's deputy mayor said in a statement the Iperbole Wireless Project is the first to offer coverage within a historic centre in a major Italian city.

The network was deployed by Acantho, a local ISP, and Hi-Tel, a RoamAD partner. Financial backers of the project include the City of Bologna, Laboratori G Marconi and the University of Bologna, according to a statement from RoamAD.