WiFi4EU: 90% of Portuguese municipalities have already received vouchers for the installation of free Wi-Fi

The WiFi4EU program, launched by the European Union, aims to guarantee access to free Wi-Fi networks in European public spaces. The last phase of the applications was available until June 3, considering that the contest suffered some postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Anacom, of the 14 Portuguese municipalities that applied for installation vouchers, 12 managed to obtain EU assistance.

In all, 277 Portuguese municipalities received support from the European Commission for the installation of Wi-Fi in public places, corresponding to about 90% of the territory. The 12 national municipalities selected with vouchers in this last call were Aguiar da Beira, Carrazeda de Ansies, Fronteira, Guarda, Monchique, Odemira, Olho, Ponte de Sr, Pvoa do Varzim, Rio Maior, Sever do Vouga and Tabuao. Anacom states that there were two applications excluded, as they had already been selected in previous calls (Figueira da Foz and Fornos de Algodres).

tek WiFi4EU

In the set of four calls for WiFi4EU, the vouchers allocated to Portuguese municipalities by the European Commission totaled about 4.1 million euros. In this last call for proposals, there were 8,644 applications at the level of the European Union, of which 947 municipalities were selected.

According to Anacom, in Portugal 12 municipalities with Wi-Fi4EU access networks are already operational: Albufeira, Almodvar, Carregal do Sal, Castelo de Vide, Funchal, Miranda do Corvo, Mogadouro, Moura, Paos de Ferreira, S. Joo da Madeira, Serpa and Vila Franca de Xira. In practical terms, the network covered by the Wii4EU program aims to offer high quality internet access, both to residents of the localities and to their visitors, in places such as parks, squares, libraries or public buildings.

The objective of the initiative is to reduce the digital divide, especially in communities in rural areas and remote locations. Ensure increased access to online public services. In this sense, European Union financing covers the costs of the equipment and respective installation of Wi-Fi.