The project was funded by the Special Secretariat for Digital Design, through the Operational Program for Information Society, and it was implemented by the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) at the National Technical University of Athens (Computing Systems Laboratory-CSLAB).

The existence of wireless hotspots or as in this case, wireless public areas with Internet connectivity, which started in 2006, is an important priority for the Special Secretariat for Digital Design (Information Society), which in this context has already organized a series of demonstration projects to promote wireless broadband throughout Greece.

Athenswifi, the Public Wireless Internet Access in Athens network, operates in the center of Athens, specifically in the areas of Syntagma Square, Thission and Kotzia Square.

Athenswifi offers free wireless broadband access for all, helping people to familiarize with wireless technologies and the Internet. It officially began operation in June 2006 covering the widest range of Syntagma Square By early September 2007 it covered most of the region of Thissio (Saint Paul pathway, Assomaton, Thissio Metro station) and Kotzia square.

Anyone can connect to the Internet free of charge at any time of day and get familiar with wireless broadband access via laptop, while sitting on a bench or on the terrace of a coffee shop in the area. Access is very simple, as you only have to connect to the wireless network (SSID) athenswifi and type the number that appears on the browser in your first attempt to access a Web page. The speed is very fast, as each region is connected to the Internet through a 4Mbps line (OTEnet). The network will remain operational at least until the end of 2009 as a part of people familiarization with wireless broadband.

See the area of coverage on Syntagma Square, Thission and Kotzia Square. In a few easy steps you can connect your laptop using Windows XP or Windows Vista to athenswifi.

With kind permission of athenswifi.