Connecting Communities with free WiFi in over 30 Locations
Project Activities:
From 2018 to 2021, the EU will provide funding of approx. €120 million to local governments to help deliver free public WiFi services for citizens. High-quality WiFi will be provided in both indoor and outdoor public spaces and other community buildings under the WiFi4EU initiative. The funding will be used to purchase and install state-of-the-art WiFi equipment and local governments will fund operating costs, maintenance and customer support services. WiFi4EU aims to give communities better internet access, improving digital literacy and complementing other public services provided in the locations selected.
Dublin City Council were awarded the maximum funding of €60000 to install or upgrade public or community WiFi services across the city as part of the recent WiFi4EU funding call. The Department of Rural and Community Development will match the funding from the European Commission, doubling the value of the investment in public WiFi networks. And Dublin City Council will support the connectivity costs over the next three years.
WIFI4EU Locations
In 2019, members of the public were invited to suggest locations where the free public WiFi should be installed. Dublin City Council received over 50 applications to access the WiFi4EU supports and are working with Virgin Media to install over 30 WiFi hotspots over the coming the weeks. Some of the locations involved are shown in map below.
Powered by Virgin Media
Virgin Media were awarded the contract in response to Dublin City Council’s Request for Tender which sought in addition to the technical requirements:
‘A partnership with a successful tenderer that is passionate about digital connectivity and, eager to deliver the highest quality of WiFi services but also will help address the digital divide by connecting communities and improve digital skills across the Dublin City area.’
Dublin City Council in partnership with Virgin Media, aim to have the all locations listed above up and and running over the coming weeks.