Regulation (EU) 2017/1953 amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities

Author (Corporate) ,
Series Title
Series Details L 286, Pages 1-8
Publication Date 01/11/2017
Content Type

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2017/1953 - adopted by the European Union on 25 October 2015 - which sets up a funding scheme aimed at promoting internet connectivity in local communities (also known as Wifi4EU initiative).

Further information:

The initiative set up by this Regulation promotes free access to Wi-Fi connectivity for citizens in public spaces of municipalities throughout the European Union (EU). It provides them with the opportunity to apply for vouchers to the value of €15,000, to be used to install the necessary equipment in public spaces within the municipality that are not already equipped with a free Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Regulation amends the legal framework for telecommunications in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), contained in Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 283/2014. These amendments encourage entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services to offer free local wireless connectivity in the centres of local public life. This is a Text with EEA relevance.

The proposal was first adopted by the European Commission on 14 September 2016, as part of a package of measures aimed at overhauling the European Union's telecoms rules. The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on the proposed Regulation in December 2016. The European Parliament's relevant committee approved a negotiating position in April 2017 and mandated its rapporteur to start trilogue negotiations. An informal agreement between the co-legislators was reached on 29 May. This was formally endorsed by the Parliament on 12 September, followed by the Council on 9 October. The act was signed on 25 October and it was published in the Official Journal on 1 November 2017.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/1953/oj
Related Links
Official
Wifi4EU Initiative Official Website https://wifi4eu.ec.europa.eu/
European Commission: Digital Single Market: WiFi4EU | Free Wi-Fi for Europeans https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/wifi4eu-free-wi-fi-europeans
EUR-Lex: COM(2016)589: Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2016:589:FIN
European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on promotion of internet connectivity in local communities https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2016/0287(OLP)
EP: Legislative Train: WIFI4EU - Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities http://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-connected-digital-single-market/file-wifi4eu/06-2019
European Commission: Press Release, 14/09/2016: Commission paves the way for more and better internet connectivity for all citizens and businesses http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-3008_en.htm
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 02/12/2016: Free WiFi4EU internet connection - Council agrees its position https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/02/free-wifi-eu-internet-connection/
European Parliament: Press Release, 29/05/2017: WiFi4EU: EP and Council strike a deal on EU scheme for free internet access http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20170529IPR76253/
European Commission: Press Release, 29/05/2017: Digital Single Market: EU negotiators agree on the WiFi4EU initiative http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1470_en.htm
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 29/05/2017: EU to launch free 'WiFi4EU' hotspots - deal with EP https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/05/29/wifi4eu-hotspots/
European Commission: Fact Sheet, 02/06/2017: WiFi4EU initiative: how will it work? http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-1536_en.htm
European Parliament: Press Release, 12/09/2017: WiFi4EU: New EU scheme for free internet access http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20170908IPR83454/
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 09/10/2017: Free WiFi4EU internet hotspots: final go-ahead https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/10/09/free-wifii4eu-internet-hotspots/
European Commission: Fact Sheet, 20/03/2018: WiFi4EU: registration opens for EU financing of free wireless internet hotspots in public spaces http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-2066_en.htm
European Commission: Déclaration de la Commissaire Mariya Gabriel sur le lancement du portail WiFi4EU et la création de points d'accès à internet sans fil gratuit dans les municipalités de l'UE, 20 mars 2018 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-18-2243_en.htm

News
EUObserver, 02/12/2016: States seek softer access to EU wifi fund https://euobserver.com/digital/136121
EurActiv, 30/05/2017: EU agrees to fund free Wi-Fi for European towns with no internet coverage https://www.euractiv.com/section/broadband/news/eu-agrees-to-fund-free-wi-fi-for-european-towns-with-no-internet-coverage/
Deutsche Welle, 30/05/2017: EU set to launch thousands of free WiFi hotspots http://p.dw.com/p/2dncE
Portfolio.hu, 12/09/2017: European Parliaments adopts new EU scheme for free Wi-Fi http://www.portfolio.hu/en/economy/european_parliaments_adopts_new_eu_scheme_for_free_wi-fi.34191.html
Deutsche Welle, 13/09/2017: EU lawmakers back free Wi-Fi scheme http://p.dw.com/p/2jqVS
Times of Malta, 13/09/2017: New free Wi-Fi access scheme approved by European Parliament https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/new-free-wi-fi-access-scheme-approved-by-european-parliament.657909
Luxembourg Times, 09/10/2017: European Union to fund at least 6,000 free WiFi access points https://luxtimes.lu/archives/223-european-union-to-fund-at-least-6-000-free-wifi-access-points

Commentary and Analysis
EPRS: At a Glance, September 2017: WIFI4EU - Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2017)608669
EPRS: Briefing, November 2017: WIFI4EU - Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2016)593561

Subject Categories
Subject Tags ,
International Organisations