Andalucía leads the way with largest free public WiFi network – Costa News Spain

Andalucía has unveiled a digital revolution with ‘Andalucía Vuela,’ Europe’s largest free public Wi-Fi network. 

Spearheaded by the Junta de Andalucía and powered by a deal with Vodafone, the ambitious plan will connect over 10,500 public buildings, including hospitals, schools, libraries, and centres for the elderly throughout 700 towns, from Málaga’s coast to Granada. 

With 53,700 points of access and a €64 million investment, the hope is to have the entire region connected and fully online by 2030.

The digital divide has been a nagging issue in rural Andalucía for some time, especially given the terrain. In rural Alpujarra, where broadband once lagged, students like María now stream online classes seamlessly from their village school. In Sevilla’s buzzing Macarena home, seniors like Antonio, aged 78, use the network to video call their grandchildren abroad. This reduces the feeling of loneliness. ‘I feel part of the world again,’ he says, grinning. Meanwhile, in Jaén’s olive groves, farmers check global markets on their phones, boosting competitiveness.

Vodafone’s ‘Plan Vuela’, launched at the Mobile World Congress on March 4 in Barcelona, integrates three networks: a public Vuela Wi-Fi for the public, a corporate grid for 10,500 government offices, and a system for smart devices. 

It’s a logistical success, with 27,000 access points, 800 km of cable, and high-security encryption combined with hybrid cloud technology. Regional minister Antonio Sanz calls it ‘a milestone in efficiency and inclusion.’

Andalucía’s €1 billion commitment to be completed by 2027 promises more: digital skills centres, training thousands in underserved areas. President Juanma Moreno champions it as proof that ‘no society advances without digitalisation.’ From combating depopulation to empowering eight million citizens, Andalucía isn’t just leading Spain – it’s setting a global benchmark for connectivity, one free Wi-Fi signal at a time.