Mexico City signed an agreement Monday with Chinese manufacturer ZTE corp. to set up hotspots across the city as part of a plan to provide wireless to its 8.7 million residents.

Marcelo Ebrard, elected in December as Mexico City’s latest mayor, said the push to make the city wireless was being given the “highest priority”. ZTE will be tasked with linking the city’s schools and government buildings as well as its network of around 4000 security cameras.

According to the Mayor, the project “will accelerate the technological development of the city”.

Since winning office Erbrard has embarked on an ambitious plan to haul Mexico City up to the same technological level as much wealthier locations, even though many residents do not have basic utilities.

Erbrard’s office recently announced it would emulate Paris and Berlin in creating artificial urban beaches for the summer and he has also called on all office managers to cycle to work to reduce emissions in the capital.

ZTE will establish a subsidiary office in Mexico City for the project, the company said.