SERVICES
Wifi4EU scheme extended across the whole county
In recent weeks, Monaghan Monaghan County Council launched the first phase of its Wifi4EU scheme. Since then broadband officer, John McArdle, has managed to secure two further vouchers under the Wifi4EU scheme. This means that the local authority is now in a position to invite applications from community groups across the whole county which may wish to participate in the free wifi scheme.
The closing date for applications has now been extended until Friday 15 November.
The wifi4eu scheme was developed to deliver free public wifi for public spaces in towns and villages throughout the EU area. The full capital cost for rolling out the complete Wifi4EU programme within the whole county will be up to €120,000, or €30,000 for each of four regions.The only stipulation is that high speed broadband must be available within the community building or at the proposed location.
Monaghan County Council are supporting this initiative by agreeing to undertake all maintenance and support costs for the duration of the program. Successful groups will receive broadband and have wifi access points installed for a period of 3 years. The local authority hopes to install 10-15 wifi access points in each of the four areas.
These broadband wifi access points must operate at a minimum of 30Mb download speed to fulfil the criteria for the Wifi4EU grant. It is expected that high speed broadband must be available currently in the local area in order to ensure that the public wifi matches all of the stipulations set out within the Wifi4EU agreement. Applications where the broadband speed does not meet this requirement will be excluded.
Community Applications now open
Application forms for Wifi4EU are now available on the Monaghan County Council website. Community and voluntary groups are invited to complete the form and to outline how they can develop their facilities to enhance the digital skills of all those within the area.
These spaces can include public administration premises, community halls, local authority facilities, playgrounds, tourist locations, sports facilities or other business premises which facilitate public access.
Due to the extension of the program, Monaghan County council has now extended the closing date for applications from qualifying groups. This closing date has now been extended until Friday 15 November @5pm. To receive an application form in electronic format, groups are invited to email broadbandofficer@monaghancoco.ie or to download the application form which is available on Monaghan Co. Co. website https://monaghan.ie/monaghan-council/. Completed applications should be submitted by mail or email to John McArdle, Monaghan Broadband Officer at the above email address. For further queries or assistance, please contact John McArdle on 047-30500.
