FREE wi-fi in Glasgow city centre has been accessed by more than 40,000 users since its launch.

They have logged on for more than 300,000 sessions and during the Commonwealth Games the network was busier than Westminster during the London 2012 Olympics.

At 1pm on July 31, more than 1600 mobile phones and tablets were logged on.

The city has set up a deal which means access will be free round the clock for at least eight years.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: "I am delighted our decision to ensure Glasgow became the first Scottish city to offer free wi-fi has proved to be so popular.

"Our hopes and expectations that Glasgow's residents, businesses and visitors would see and enjoy the benefits of this network have proven to be correct."

BT Scotland director Brendan Dick, said: "The figures for the first three weeks of free, urban wi-fi were staggering, even though this period coincided with the Commonwealth Games."

The network had more than one terabyte of data transferred during that time - the equivalent of downloading 333,333 songs.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk