by Sarah Swain
GLASGOW is one of the first cities in the world to beam information to futuristic public message boards via a mobile phone network.
Ten new hi-tech digital display units are being installed on city streets and lampposts to display information and advertising as part of a pilot scheme.
Called StreetLive, the project is a joint initiative between the city council and Streetbroadcast, the English company behind the service.
It allows the local authority to instantly update and change information on the displays via the 3G mobile phone network.
Information on weather, news and sport as well as data on projects such as Clean Glasgow, Commonwealth Games 2014 and Glasgow: Scotland with Style can be beamed to the units. Police can also use the service to offer crime prevention advice.
The 10 futuristic displays have been provided free of charge to the council as the cost is covered by the sale of advertising space.
The council will also get a portion of the income from advertisers.
Four units have already been installed on Dumbarton Road in the West End, Maryhill Road and North Hanover Street and Argyle Street in the city centre.
Six others, including units on Pollokshaws Road in Shawlands, Sauchiehall Street in the city centre, Dumbarton Road in the West End and London Road opposite Celtic Park will be in place by the end of the year.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The Streetlive project is a pilot scheme that could be an innovative way of bringing information to the people of Glasgow. The pilot will last for a year, after which the council will examine its performance."
Police Constable Mike Crofts said: "From a police perspective, the advertising display is an effective way to get public safety information across to people in a highly visual way.
"We will be able to alert people to crime prevention measures which will help them to stay safe in a wide range of situations."
From next week, the city centre screens will also show competition-winning Christmas posters designed by children at Blackfriars Primary School in the Gorbals.
