Project of free WiFi hotspots for municipalities delayed by programming error

The plan to provide 8,000 municipalities in the European Union with free Wi-Fi hotspots has been postponed for the time being. The system by which municipalities could apply for the investment did not take into account different time zones, resulting in unfair advantages.

Municipalities wishing to apply for the program could register on the WiFi4EU website on 15 May. However, because this website looked at the clock on the computer from which the application was submitted for the registration time, countries more westerly indicated an hour earlier registration time. This put them higher on the list, writes De Tijd.

The WiFi4EU website now states that a new application round will be organized in the autumn of 2018. Municipalities and installation companies that have registered will receive an email when it is known when they can register again.

In March, the European Commission announced that it will donate 15,000 euros each to 8,000 municipalities to spend on hardware for free Wi-Fi access points. Entries will be distributed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. After the hotspots have been built, the municipalities themselves have to bear the costs of maintenance.