WiFi4EU – 2,800 Vouchers

After initial difficulties (which we reported on in August), the repeated first submission phase (which ran from November 7 to 9, 2018) has now gone smoothly. Within the first 10 seconds of the portal opening, 4,000 applications had already been received. In total, there were 13,000 applications (1,824 from Germany alone). For this call, 42 million euros are available, divided into 2,800 vouchers of 15,000 euros each. In the meantime, INEA (Innovation and Networks Executive Agency), the agency responsible for WiFi4EU, has reviewed the applications for admissibility and eligibility and announced the winning municipalities in early December. Here you can find a list of those municipalities that will receive a voucher. Between 15 and 224 vouchers could be won per EU country. With the exception of Iceland, every country received the minimum number of vouchers. For the lucky winners, the next step is to find a WiFi installation company. The value of the voucher will be paid directly to the installation company once the WiFi network is completed.

A glimmer of hope for all those who came away empty-handed in the first round: there will be three further calls over the next two years. So it pays to stay tuned. In the meantime, you can exchange ideas with other municipalities in the newly established WiFi4EU forum.

Further information can also be found on the WiFi4EU blog.