A London-wide broadband network launches today, providing a common infrastructure for public services in the capital.

The London Public Services Network will encourage collaboration between local authorities, central government and the NHS, by providing a secure way to share data.

The system makes use of the existing London Grid for Learning, a filtered broadband network supporting schools in the capital, but provides a 20 Mbit/s bandwidth reserved solely for use by local government bodies.

To date 16 of the city's 33 boroughs have signed up to the project, while a further nine have stated their intention to join in the near future.

The new network will lead to substantial savings in shared services, said London Connects, the local authority-owned organisers of the scheme.