Free WiFi
According to the Telecommunications Act, a municipal port can offer free Wi-Fi in areas where there are activities aimed at international tourism, including pleasure boaters, provided that access is only granted for one hour per day, that access is for outdoor coverage, and that it is not a coherent network in a larger area. However, it requires that
- It is not the municipal port itself, but the municipal council that makes the decision
- That the municipality applies for funding from the European Commission and either receives full or partial funding or has met the conditions for receiving the funding. If the municipality is refused funding but fulfills the conditions, it must notify the Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities within 45 days if it wants to continue to be allowed to establish free Wi-Fi.
- Establishment and operation must be purchased from private provider
For municipal self-government ports , the Telecommunications Act allows for free Wi-Fi under two different conditions: § 60 b and § 60 c
According to § 60 b, it is possible to provide free wifi.
However, this may only take place on the self-government port's premises, or in areas in close proximity to it. Specifically, this means that the self-government port can offer free Wi-Fi in connection with their buildings, and in addition at a distance of up to 50 meters from the buildings. It is a requirement that the internet access provided is wifi.
The ability to provide free internet under section 60c is more cumbersome, but on the other hand enables the provision of internet in locations aimed at international tourism.
Firstly, as a municipal self-governing port, you will not be able to use this provision on your own. It is the municipal council that has that right. Furthermore, it requires the port to apply for funding from the European Commission for the purpose and either receive full or partial funding, or have met the conditions for receiving the funding. If the port is refused funding but fulfills the conditions, it must notify the Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities within 45 days if the port wants to continue to be allowed to establish free Wi-Fi.
In addition, you must fulfill a number of conditions:
- It must be aimed at international tourism
- In outdoor publicly accessible places or on the premises of the public authority
- A continuous network must not be created. Only single hotspots are allowed
- Establishment and operation must be purchased from private provider
- Maximum one hour of access per device per day
As you can see, it is somewhat more difficult to set up free Wi-Fi under section 60c, compared to doing so under section 60b.
