UK Government & Industry initiated

Public WiFi – Accreditation Scheme

What is Friendly WiFiFriendly WiFi is the world’s first Public WiFi accreditation scheme, allowing venues to display the new colourful ‘Friendly WiFi’ symbol to show their internet users the WiFi they provide is safe to use

The symbol is available to any UK venues providing public WiFi, covering all sectors such as Retail, Hotels & Leisure, Transport, Food & Beverage, schools and other venues where children are likely to be present

The UK Prime Minister announced a commitment on 22nd July 2013 at the NSPCC : -

“On public Wi-Fi, of which more than 90% is provided by 6 companies – O2, Virgin Media, Sky, Nomad, BT and Arqiva – I’m pleased to say we’ve now reached an agreement with all of them that family friendly filters are to be applied across public Wi-Fi networks wherever children are likely to be present. This will be done by the end of next month”

“And we’re keen to introduce a family friendly Wi-Fi symbol which retailers, hotels, transport companies can use to show their customers that their public Wi-Fi is properly filtered. So I think good progress there; that’s RDI (UK) Holdings was asked to work with UKCCIS (UK Council for Child Internet Safety) , UK Government, and the largest WiFi Providers to develop the accreditation scheme

The scheme and operational model was signed off by Minister Ed Vaizey in Spring 2014, with agreed launch of the scheme by July 2014

The Scheme continues to grow and has expanded relationships with overseas venues and providers

LaunchThe Friendly WiFi scheme launched in July 2014 with a number of UK reputable brands :-

Key charities and organisations supported the launch : -

How Accreditation works

Venue registers interest to join the scheme and completes a simple application form

Friendly WiFi check the venues WiFi service meets scheme content filtering requirements

Venue signs trademark license agreement

Venue pays the annual fee based on the size of WiFi coverage (or number of access points)

Venue starts displaying the Friendly WiFi symbol to let their Customers know their public WiFi service

is safe to use

Locate a Friendly WiFi venueCustomers visit the Friendly WiFi website and search for venues displaying the symbol

The Friendly WiFi website also provides useful information about the scheme and points users in the right direction when seeking help or further details of how to stay safe online

Some of our Customers

Displaying the Logo

So why should I join?Most venues offering WiFi to their Customers display signage

to identify WiFi is available…

How many venues display signage to tell their Customers their WiFi is SAFE ? Acknowledge your corporate social responsibility Be proud your WiFi, as a minimum, blocks illegal content and pornography Show your internet users your WiFi is not only ‘present’ but ‘SAFE’ to use Be part of the Friendly WiFi online search directoryBe part of Friendly WiFi social & media activities, working with the public, child online safety organisations, schools and education. Show your users and their Children that you care

For more information email: fw@rdi-online.co.uk twitter: @friendlywifi1

Baroness Shields, the UK Minister for Internet Safety and Security : -

Keeping children and young people safe online is of paramount importance. The Friendly WiFi

scheme has been a great success in the UK, and is another example of how we are a world leader

when it comes to making the Internet more child-friendly. It's extremely encouraging to see so many providers supporting the scheme and

raising standards. I am delighted the scheme continues to expand, both in the UK and abroad

including the US and Australia.

November 2015

Tell your Customers your WiFi is safe by displaying the logo