By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 04 Aug 2016 • 10:26
More than 70,000 people are connecting to Palma’s network daily, just four months after it was launched.
MallorcaWiFi and the city of Palma recorded an average of some 500,000 connections every day, made by 70,000 users with each person spending an average of seven minutes online. With these figures, it is estimated that annually, some 10 million unique users could be accessing the WiFi connection.
The extensive coverage is across the historic centre of the city and coastal area and is believed to be the largest WiFi network in Europe.
Its full implementation was originally scheduled for 2019 but the wireless network will be completed later this year with the 300 connection points and routers installed throughout the tourist sites of the city. They are already placed around the areas of Born, la Llotja, el Moll Vell, the maritime stations, the cathedral and the West point.
The project was promoted by the Fundació Palma de Mallorca 365 Tourism during the last term of the PP.
Public administration has not spent anything on installation and network design, but all the investment has been taken on by the company MallorcaWiFi. The cost of routers, estimated at €1million will be financed by advertising that users see when they connect to WiFi.
Mauricio Socias from MallorcaWiFi, stressed that one of the advantages of the connection that Palma offers is that it is “not invasive.” Unlike other free networks, it does not require the user to provide their phone number or email address. Mayor of Palma, Jose Hila (PSOE) said having the wireless network is a crucial tourism tool: “Often WiFi is what makes a tourist decide on a destination; it’s a requirement not an option.” He added: “Having this places Palma at the forefront of social networks because tourists will add photos and information to profiles which promotes and recommends the city.”
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