Newcastle has been shown to have the fastest growing wireless broadband connectivity in the country in recent statistics from BT.

Cited in the Northern Echo, statistics from the company's wireless broadband network tracker demonstrate that usage of the city's Wi-Fi network has more than doubled since it was introduced five months ago in a partnership between BT and Newcastle city council.

A usage increase of 116 per cent was said to have outstripped all other UK cities except the City of Westminster in London.

Commenting on the statistics, Barry Rowland, deputy chief executive for the council, said: "The usage levels are impressive and are proof that our city uses wireless technology everyday."

BT has also recently announced that 170,000 existing business broadband customers are now able to turn their connections into Wi-Fi hotspots at no extra cost. The company states this will allow users to offer more diverse services to customers and potentially generate more revenue.