In the summer of 2006 a few individuals, now belonging to the project committee, got an idea to diversify Postojna's tourist arrangement and to offer city centre visitors free internet access. With the help of sponsor Tuš Telekom d.d., who was ready to set up a free tourist season ADSL access the idea soon became reality. An antenna was installed on the roof of Postojna University building which was the primary Wi-Fi access emitter. A terminal station was positioned in the Zmajček restaurant in the city square which offered free internet access. That terminal station became our first »E-Spot« and soon we added an additional one in the »Na Vogalu« gallery. At the same time »E-Šola« (E-School) started offering free access to as many as 18 users at once. Due to the fact that the free internet access service became increasingly popular the decision was made to arrange an extension to the existing sponsorship agreement.

In the fall of the same year, the Ministry of Economy issued a publication to gain irreversible funding for »E-Spot« installations in rural areas of Slovenia. Together with Postojna Commune the project committee prepared all the needed documentation and received funding for 11 »E-Spots« out of 23 that were entered. The following year new fundings were received for 13 new »E-Spots« plus additional equipment. The project to set up »E-Spots« was technically and financialy extremely demanding due to careful planning of E-Spot locations, buying the neccessary equipment and installing and testing the terminals; to even get the funds partially reimbursed by the government. Postojna Commune became the sole owner of the installed equipment.

The system is constantly being upgraded and expanded with Communal and government funding, the result is the fact that there are presently 26 E-Spots set up in the Postojna Commune area, accompanied with 70 free access points, that allow users to connect to the internet for free from their own terminals/workstations.

Who is the service meant for?

Free internet access service is meant to enrich tourism offers that visitors get from local restaurants, tourism farms, bars… in the Postojna Commune. In addition it serves as an informer and educator for Postojna citizens especially those that cannot get commercial internet providers.

The future?

Postojna Commune as a project carrier and owner of equipment is responsible to keep offering the service all through the Ministry of Economy contract specified time about ADSL connections which is 2 more years. Postojna Commune will try to continue to offer the services even after the contract expires, even if that means the funding will be solely put on the Commune budget.

Project committee