69 main squares and public gardens around Malta and Gozo will offer free wi-fi in the coming weeks, bringing the number of open spaces offering the service to 88, Philip Micallef, CEO of the Malta Communications Authority said today.

He said at a press conference that the service was similar to that offered in other countries and it would eventually also be extended to bus stops and the Cirkewwa ferry terminal.

He said that bars and restaurants should also be encouraged to offer wi-fi, as is done in other countries.

Mr Micallef said that in the first four months of this year 30,800 people used the 19 already available free wi-fi spots in Malta, an average of 266 every day. The most popular is St Anne Square in Sliema with an average of 450 users a day, followed by Mgarr ferry terminal, Giovanni Curmi School and Mater Dei hospital foyer.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said, who is responsible for local government, said that an agreement had been reached with the councils for wi-fi to be made available in the main squares. The spots would have a coverage of 150 square metres. The service would be funded by the government, in terms of a two-year agreement.

Internet usage would be filtered to prevent abuse.

IT Minister Austin Gatt said the digital divide was something which the government was determined to narrow. The challenge was to have 'Internet on the go' available everywhere, and to improve download speeds.

This project was important because it would guarantee access to Internet across the island.