The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union approved the Initiative entitled "WiFi4EU"

PRESS RELEASE

The programme in the amount of EUR 120 million for 2017 to 2019 is aimed at all the EU Member States and the WiFi infrastructure construction will be 100% co-financed

ZAGREB, January 23, 2018 - The European Commission will start with the implementation of the "WiFi4EU" plan with the aim to strengthen local free and non-discriminatory wireless connectivity to promote connectivity of citizens in public places such as squares, parks, libraries, museums, public institutions, health centres etc. It is an opportunity for municipalities or communities of municipalities, other bodies and institutions of public authorities to make use of the wireless internet via the grant funds of the European funds at places of gathering more people or places considered as centres of public life.

The programme in the amount of 120 million EUR for the period 2017 to 2019 is intended for all EU Member States. Available resources should be allocated to projects by means of respecting the geographical balance between the Member States which was encouraged by the Republic of Croatia. A bigger participation of applicants from the Member States has been encouraged with a relatively low rate of use of grants or financial aid.

Eligible users are local self-government units, the applicants may also be enterprises and institutions owned by the local self-government unit.

The construction of WiFi infrastructure will be co-financed in a one-tenth of total amount and will be obliged to the users to support Wi-Fi internet connection security and pay for maintenance costs of the equipment purchased for 3 years.

The grant will be issued in the form of a balance of the average value of EUR 15 000 per applicant, which will pay for the listed construction facilities and while the European Commission will pay the value of the workmanship / equipment supplier and it will be registered on the European Commission's website with regard to WiFi4EU initiative.

Opening of the portal for registration of executors of work and equipment suppliers is expected by the end of January 2018 while the call for applicants is expected to be launched in February 2018. On October 2017 the European Parliament and Council brought the Regulation on WiFi4EU, REGULATION (EU) 2017/1953 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 October 2017. amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities

More information on WiFi4EU initiative and frequently asked questions can be found on following link, and promotional flyer in the Croatian language on following link.

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For additional information please contact:
Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM)
Roberta Frangeša Mihanovića 9
10110 Zagreb, Croatia
Tel. + 385 (0) 1 700 70 07
Fax + 385 (0)1 700 70 70

Media inquiries can be submitted online using HAKOM’s official website:
Registration required.

ABOUT HAKOM: HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary competencies in market regulation.