Free Wi-Fi? Yes please: Over 300 hotspots to surf the net at your heart’s content

Over 2,500,000 end-users accessed 300 free Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces across Malta and Gozo – an average of almost 8,000 users per day.

Data collected by the Malta Communications Authority shows that the most popular hotspots are situated in Bugibba (121,655 users), Valletta (98,994 users) and Paceville (84,000 users).

Malta is now a step closer to becoming a Wi-Fi state, according to Digital Economy Minister Manuel Mallia. The government plans on increasing the network by installing 100 more connections during next year.

At the same time, 22% of the Maltese population is not online.

“The widespread availability of Wi-Fi services not only serves to encourage people to get online, but also add greater value to Malta’s value proposition and attractiveness, particularly in the tourism industry,” Mallia said.

Coordinated by the MCA in collaboration with other public entities, the initiative facilitates access to the internet through a secure broadband connection and promotes the use of connected devices. The hotspots are installed in information centres, public libraries, public gardens, town squares and local councils.

Every connection is filtered in order to prevent illegal content reaching the end-user, especially minors. The hotspots are easily identifiable as they are signposted.

A mobile application can also be downloaded in order to identify the closest hotspot to any given location.