Free Wi-Fi everywhere makes El Hierro the world's first 'Smart island'

A BRAND-NEW and totally free Wi-Fi network covering the whole of El Hierro has been unveiled, making it the first-ever 'Smart island' on the planet.

With 26 Wi-Fi access points scattered across the island in residential areas, town and village centres and the main tourist attractions, it means holidaymakers can share their experiences in real time.

They can also connect to the tourist information office and download the application El Hierro te sigue ('El Hierro is following you') so they can trace all the Wi-Fi points on the island.

But the downside is that cover does not extend to residential homes, and the download speed is limited to a painfully-slow 256 kilobytes per second.

The Wi-Fi network will also be used by authorities to monitor traffic, and it is hoped it can later be adapted to help detect and control forest and house fires and connect to sensors on rubbish bins and drinking-water silos to enable their better management.

It was opened yesterday by minister for industry, energy and tourism José Manuel Soria and the head of the tourist information department on the island, Alpidio Armas.

El Hierro's local government is now the outright owner of the Wi-Fi network, so it does not come from any other provider which sends regular bills.

Parts of the island have no 3G cover or even electricity – such as El Julán and Cala de Tacorón - but these have been adapted to make use of renewable energy sources so that they can connect up to the Wi-Fi network.