Various local authorities across Europe will have the chance to register with the European Commission to be in with a chance of being granted vouchers worth up to £13,000 to spend on WiFi infrastructure.
The new WiFi4EU scheme is being brought in with the aim of connecting “every European village and city with free WiFi internet access” by 2020.
The initiative is aimed at creating WiFi networks in public places such as museums, libraries and parks. Successful municipalities can use the vouchers to cover the costs of both purchasing and installing WiFi technology within their choses areas. Any ongoing costs such as maintenance of equipment must be covered by the local authorities.
Digital Single Market VP, Andrus Ansip, said: “By opening the WiFi4EU portal today, we are taking a concrete step towards helping municipalities provide free WiFi. While this is important progress, I also strongly encourage the European Parliament and Council to conclude work on the proposed telecoms code to ensure high-speed connectivity across the whole of the EU.
This includes Europe-wide coordination of spectrum, and forcefully stimulating investments in the high-capacity networks that Europe needs.”
The initiative is expected to assist funding for free WiFi in public places in around 8,000 different areas across the EU including Iceland and Norway. Applications are made at www.Wifi4eu.com with the first round of vouchers being handed out in May this year. The vouchers will be offered on a first come first serve basis with no more than 15 areas receiving funding per country.
The WiFi4EU initiative has been a long time in the making with head of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker announcing the plan back in September 2016. The scheme is part of a far-reaching plan to completely re-develop the current rules for the EU’s telecoms network and to satisfy the growing need for high speed broadband across Europe.
British municipalities are currently still able to apply for funding via the scheme however, if the UK withdraws from the EU during the grant period without a pre-agreed deal, then any vouchers will be withdrawn.
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