The article Free WiFi can find: EU app shows over 100,000 hotspots from Beatrice Bode first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
In order to make free WiFi accessible to all EU citizens, the European Commission launched an initiative some time ago. An app should display WLAN hotspots near you.
WiFi is hardly an integral part of our everyday life. The technology has become increasingly important since the 2000s. The wireless network simplifies data transmission and can be easily usable.
For security and cost reasons, however, most access is encrypted. Nevertheless, there are always hotspots that make it possible to use free WiFi – you just have to find them.
Find free WiFi
In order to make free WiFi for citizens of the European Union, the European Commission has the initiative Wifi4eu founded. It promotes free hotspots in public spaces such as parks, squares, public buildings, libraries, health centers and museums all over Europe.
By June 2020, the EU has issued so -called vouchers worth 15,000 euros. They should be used to build the hotspots by covering the money and installation costs. Overall, the funding amount was 120 million euros.
In the meantime, over 8,900 municipalities in different countries have noticed the offer. There are now more than 93,000 public hotspots for residents and visitors in the entire European Union – round ten percent in German communities. You can be found via the free app wifi4eu map that it is for iOS and Android gives.
Wifi4eu: How does the app work?
With the app, users can see where there is free hotspot near you. You have the choice whether you allow the location release or not. If it is activated, an interactive card shows the accesses available nearby. If the release is deactivated, users must select their own position themselves. But there is also a search function.
The app is said to do without personal data. When using it for the first time, you are asked whether you want to reveal your location or not. According to the operator, the application uses geolocalization to find hotspots nearby. In the event of approval, the corresponding information is only saved on the device and not passed on to third parties.
Mixed opinions on free WLAN spots
What basically sounds like a meaningful initiative seems to arouse mixed feelings in practice – at least according to the reviews of some users. In the App Store, the app received just 1.8 out of five stars. However, only five people have given feedback. In the Google Play Store there are 2.3 out of five stars – with 152 reviews. For example, Alfred G. is satisfied. He writes:
This app works perfectly for me. You see (if you zoom in) many open WiFi nets. I live near Mainz in the country and there are logically relatively few open networks. It is therefore not difficult to judge this app. If only a few are ready to make your WiFi available publicly even in large sites, this app cannot do anything about it. If you know that there are open WiFi at the location, then they may send too weak.
Doesn’t work. Always be put into the Baltic Sea when pressing “My location”. Complete mumpitz. Again determines such an EU -subsidized app, where nobody takes care of it …
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The article Free WiFi can find: EU app shows over 100,000 hotspots from Beatrice Bode first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the EU app showing over 100,000 hotspots for free WiFi is a positive development for users in the region. This will greatly benefit individuals who are constantly on the go and rely on internet connectivity for work or leisure purposes.
Having access to a large number of free WiFi hotspots not only saves users money on data charges but also provides them with a more convenient and reliable internet connection. It also promotes digital inclusion and access to information for all individuals, regardless of their financial situation.
I believe that initiatives like this are essential in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities that the internet has to offer. I hope to see more efforts like this in the future to further enhance connectivity and accessibility for all.
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