A bid for part of the Urban Broadband Fund being made available by the UK government is expected to come from Edinburgh City Council, which has expressed its hope that it will be able to offer free Wi-Fi on the streets of the Scottish capital.

This could be made a reality if it is granted some of the £100 million pot set up by the coalition in a bid to encourage the take-up of super-fast broadband across Britain, with the regional centres of London, Cardiff and Belfast also set to receive some of the cash.

Proposals are expected to be put in place over the next three years, STV News Edinburgh reports.

As well as making free broadband available across part of the city centre, the council proposes increasing internet speeds in other areas of Edinburgh and developing social and educational opportunities through the provision of broadband infrastructure.

The bid is expected to focus on the potential boost to tourism offered by increasing Wi-Fi provision in popular visitor spots like Princes Street Gardens and the Meadows, as well as along the tram route to Edinburgh Airport.

Alex Neil MSP, cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment, welcomed the plans and described the Scottish government's plans as part of an ongoing "digital revolution" across the country.

"For Edinburgh, improved connectivity will specifically help enhance the digital economy and user experience in relation to tourism and the Edinburgh Festivals. This is a key overarching theme of the bid," explained Mr Neil.

Robin Worsnop, chair of Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, added that the increasing prevalence of mobile devices among visitors to the city made investment in public infrastructure a priority.

In chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement he explained that up to ten cities would be able to share the £100 million broadband pot, which is open to all conurbations with more than 150,000 dwellings.

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