Close to 31 000 users have accessed the Internet via the 19 existing Wi-Fi Spots across Malta and Gozo during the first four months this year [2010].

"In the coming months, a further 69 free Wi-Fi spots will be set up across Malta and Gozo, bringing the total number of hotspots to 88," said Ing Philip Micallef, Executive Chairman of the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) during a press conference held on 1 June 2010 together with the Department of Local Government and the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications.

"These hotspots will be set up mainly in village squares and other public spaces. However experiences have shown that the most popular spots are those connected to public transport. It is for this reason that we shall, in due course, also extend this initiative to cover prime bus-stops as well as the terminal in Cirkewwa," he continued.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils Chris Said said that the Local Councils have been asked to identify the most frequented places in their localities for free Wi-Fi to be installed. The idea behind this is to make it easier for visitors to these particular localities to know where to find the service. Most localities will be online within a few months.

"The offering of this service falls in line with other government sponsored initiatives and strategies including the organisation of free courses in IT that are on offer at most local councils in Malta and Gozo," said Dr. Said.

The 19 free Wi-Fi spots that have already been set up are proving to be very popular with an average of 266 users accessing the Internet from such public spaces each day. The most popular sites to date are Pjazza St Anna at Sliema, Mgarr Ferry Terminal and Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary at Naxxar.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, Dr. Austin Gatt said that "ICT has changed the way we live and communicate with one another, not to mention the opportunities it presents in maximising our resources. The result of effective collaboration between entities, this initiative launched today is an important step towards providing 'Internet on the Go' for members of our community." "Attracting people of all ages, these hotspots allow easy access to emails or other online services at any time of the day from either their mobile phone or a laptop and is a step closer in making Malta a leading nation in Internet accessibility," he concluded.

The contracts signed on 1 June 2010 between the Department of Local Government and the MCA, are valid for two years. The Department of Local Government is covering all recurrent costs whilst the MCA is covering the installation and infrastructural costs. 

 

Further information: 

• Official press release - Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications