Free wireless Internet (WiFi) in 4,000 public spaces in 302 municipalities of the country will be available to all citizens starting next November. The international open competition for the implementation of the WiFi project is in the air, with the relevant budget totaling 25 million euros (increased by 10 million euros compared to the original plan).
Also, approximately 1,200 - 1,500 city buses and trolleybuses in Athens, as well as all 64 metro and electric railway stations, will have a WiFi network by the end of the year.
The spread of WiFi in public areas is being implemented by the General Secretariat of Telecommunications of the Ministry of Transport, within the framework of the decision of the government and the Prime Minister to ensure free wireless access to all citizens.
The plan for the spread of WiFi, among other things, includes the activation in a first phase of 15,000 access points in 4,000 public areas of municipalities (in squares, sidewalks, playgrounds, municipal libraries, museums, archaeological sites, sports facilities, ports, etc.).
Later, it is planned to expand WiFi to large areas (public gathering areas, passenger waiting-transportation areas, event or tourist interest areas, etc.).
The project will proceed with a framework agreement, based on the tender that went live yesterday, and will be financed by the "Digital Convergence" Operational Program. It is estimated that by the end of the year or early 2015, citizens will be able to connect to the internet in indoor and outdoor spaces, where the required facilities will have been completed.
Specifically, citizens will be able to connect for a period of up to 30 minutes, provided that they are within 20 meters of the access point indoors and within 100 meters of the access point outdoors.
