WiFi4EU: Moving forward at last

Are you planning to provide WiFi in public spaces in your municipality? Then you have come to the right place. In 2017, the EU launched a program to provide public spaces with free WiFi. Up to 8,000 municipalities will each receive 15,000 euros in seed capital to set up a hotspot. We reported on this on our blog in October.

As part of the EU 2020 Strategy, the EU Commission aims to create a digital single market modeled after the USA, Japan, or South Korea. Under the slogan WiFi4EU, high-speed internet is to be made available in public spaces down to the smallest village. To kickstart this, the EU is awarding grants to selected municipalities. You can find out which municipalities these are here. Since March 20, cities and municipalities have been able to register on the WiFi4EU website and apply during the next call for applications in mid-May. The first vouchers will then be raffled off. Each voucher has a value of 15,000 euros. These can be used to purchase new equipment or upgrade old systems.

If a municipality receives a voucher, the installation must be completed and the WiFi hotspot must be operational within 18 months. The municipality then bears the costs for the internet connection, maintenance, and operation for at least three years. Installation companies can also register – the list of registered companies will then be published on the internet. Each applicant can entrust a provider of their choice with the installation. The only requirement is that the installation company must also register via the portal.

Recipients are selected on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring that all EU countries receive a minimum number of vouchers (at least 15 vouchers per country will be awarded during the first call for applications).