The 15 000 inhabitants of Szczytno now have free access to wireless broadband internet connection in public places thanks to an EU-funded project. A variety of new online public services is also available.
Project ‘e-Szczytno’ supports information society development in North-Eastern Poland
- 27 January 2016
The Project ‘e-Szczytno’ let us provide free internet access in the whole town. We also manage to create a coherent and safe IT network consisting of 33 municipal administration units – as well as to standardise the quality of virtual services in the public sector across our subregion (building 2.2 kilometers of optical fiber and four radio sectors). Our employees can now use, for example, high quality VoIP services.
The town of Szczytno built a coordinated network which provides free access to the Web for town residents and visitors in public places and helps to implement e-administration tools. Inhabitants and civil officers can benefit from high quality internet connection as well as from access to public services available online.
Internet connection and e-administration integrated
The project ‘e-Szczytno’ was divided into different modules. First, 15 000 inhabitants have gained free access to the internet in public places. Szczytno now has a network of 96 hot spots which is also beneficial for tourists: people visiting the city have easy access to maps, touristic information, an events calendar, etc.
Second, citizens have now access to new public services including e-administration, public information and 10 info kiosks. These developments contribute to improving the quality of public services in this area. All units of public administration in the Szczytno municipality are now connected and form one IT network. Surveillance cameras and a multimedia fountain at the Domowe Małe Lake are also part of the network.
New infrastructure is also a valuable asset for educational centres. All nine public schools have access to broadband internet connection, which facilitates teaching and training processes. New networks also help to fight digital divide in the region and contribute to social inclusion in Szczytno. The number of citizens using the public internet connection is growing steadily.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “e-Szczytno” is PLN 4 008 940 (approximately EUR 929 771), of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing PLN 3 363 152 (approximately EUR 780 290) from the Operational Programme “Warminsko-Mazurskie” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.