BBC Highlights the Rise of the Global Portal Network

A remarkable piece of technology installed in the heart of Ipswich is giving locals a real-time window to some of the world’s most far-flung destinations — and its latest addition is a sun-soaked Brazilian beach.

The Portals installation, positioned outside Ipswich Town Hall on Cornhill, features a two-way live video feed that allows people on opposite sides of the world to see and wave at one another in real time.

The new Brazilian link went live just after 1:00 PM GMT on a Saturday that saw Ipswich enduring a typically British mix of sunshine, cold rain, and hailstones — a stark contrast to the warm climate on the other side of the screen. Crowds gathered to mark the moment were handed Brazilian flags to wave as they caught their first glimpse of the beach.

For some locals, the moment was deeply personal. Neil Ball and his wife Ana, who hails from São Paulo and has lived in the UK for nearly 30 years, described the experience as “fantastic and amazing.” Ana said she was thrilled that Brazil had been included: “It’s lovely to be on the map now — for everyone to see.”

You can read the original BBC coverage here.