The looming deadline on a project to provide free WiFi access in public areas has been extended and local councils can now opt to look for a supplier themselves. A month ago Times of Malta reported the country stood to lose out on thousands in EU funding because the authorities had failed to find a supplier in time to carry out the WiFi project. Fifty-four councils had applied for EU grants of €15,000 each to install access points in public areas, but it was looking likely half would miss out since the July deadline was around the corner. In an email sent out to councils, however, the Local Government Division within the Ministry for the National Heritage announced that the EU had approved an extension until September for the first call of applicants, numbering 27 municipalities. To add to that, they also offered councils the option of looking for a supplier individually or as a group. The government would be issuing another call for tenders, should they wish to remain under their wing. The previous call had failed since the only offer they received to install the public WiFi access points was much higher than the project’s estimated cost, and negotiations were...