WiFi4EU: new call for municipalities to apply for free Wi-Fi network in public spaces
free WiFi
01 Apr 2019
/ 12:36
With the WiFi4EU programme municipalities can receive 15,000 Euros to set up free Wi-Fi networks in public spaces, including town halls, public libraries, museums, public parks or squares.
Following the first call for applications 117 Greek municipalities joined the programme, but not Corfu. As was reported previously in Enimerosi, according to the Municipal Department of Planning, Organisation and IT, Corfu had applied with the approval of the Town Council. The applications were automatically chosen - in the order in which the applications from local authorities throughout Europe were electronically received.
According to the WiFi4EU programme, municipalities can assign the establishment of the network in their area to a company. Access to the hotspots created will be free and they will operate for at least three years.
Second Call
On 4 April at 13:00 CEST the Commission will launch a new call for applications for WiFi4EU. The call, which is open to municipalities or groups of municipalities in the EU, will last one day and a half, until 5 April 2019 at 17:00 CEST.
Municipalities will be able to apply for 3,400 vouchers, valued €15,000 each, which they can use to set up free Wi-Fi networks in public spaces, including town halls, public libraries, museums, public parks or squares.
Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel, said: “I am pleased to announce the second call of the WiFi4EU initiative, a concrete step towards better access to the internet for all European citizens. After a very successful first call, we look forward to the same level of enthusiasm this time around, with an extra 600 vouchers on offer compared to the first call.”
The WiFi4EU scheme, worth €120 million in total, takes place in a series of calls, and covers all 28 EU Member States, as well as Norway and Iceland. Once municipalities have registered on the dedicated WiFi4EU Portal they will be able to apply for a voucher with just one click. The Commission is selecting beneficiaries on a first-come, first-served basis, while ensuring geographical balance.
The first WiFi4EU call for applications took place in November 2018, with over 13,000 municipalities applying from all across Europe and 2,800 vouchers awarded.
More information is available online, in the Questions and Answers and a factsheet.
According to the WiFi4EU programme, municipalities can assign the establishment of the network in their area to a company. Access to the hotspots created will be free and they will operate for at least three years.
Second Call
On 4 April at 13:00 CEST the Commission will launch a new call for applications for WiFi4EU. The call, which is open to municipalities or groups of municipalities in the EU, will last one day and a half, until 5 April 2019 at 17:00 CEST.
Municipalities will be able to apply for 3,400 vouchers, valued €15,000 each, which they can use to set up free Wi-Fi networks in public spaces, including town halls, public libraries, museums, public parks or squares.
Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel, said: “I am pleased to announce the second call of the WiFi4EU initiative, a concrete step towards better access to the internet for all European citizens. After a very successful first call, we look forward to the same level of enthusiasm this time around, with an extra 600 vouchers on offer compared to the first call.”
The WiFi4EU scheme, worth €120 million in total, takes place in a series of calls, and covers all 28 EU Member States, as well as Norway and Iceland. Once municipalities have registered on the dedicated WiFi4EU Portal they will be able to apply for a voucher with just one click. The Commission is selecting beneficiaries on a first-come, first-served basis, while ensuring geographical balance.
The first WiFi4EU call for applications took place in November 2018, with over 13,000 municipalities applying from all across Europe and 2,800 vouchers awarded.
More information is available online, in the Questions and Answers and a factsheet.
