After the successful initiative for universal cell phone chargers, Solomon and Gergana Passy launched a new ambitious initiative – access to Internet to be free.

Access to Internet should be guaranteed and free in every public place of the European Union’s territory. This is what Solomon and Gergana Passy suggest in a letter to the European Commission. It is addressed to three Commissioners – Neelie Kroas, Viviane Reding and John Dalli.

What the Passys have in mind is both cable and wireless high-speed Internet. In their opinion access to the network should be regarded as the newest, Fifth Freedom of the EU, alongside the free movement of goods, capitals, services and people.

A huge boost for this initiative has been a UN Report on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom and Expression, May 16th, 2011 that recognizes the right of all individuals to have Internet access as one of the basic human rights such as the right to education and freedom. This report recommends Internet to be made widely available, accessible and affordable to all people, which is in full compliance with the policy and the strategic vision of the European Commission.

In 2010 the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria under the Presidency of Solomon Passy, together with Publicis MARC Group launched the “Free Internet” initiative (www.osvobodiinternet.com), the aim of which is to involve as much consumers and companies as possible to open their Wi-Fi hotspots. In this way the access to Internet in Bulgaria will be free on October 29th, 2011 – the Internet’s birthday.

In 2011 the aim of this initiative evolved in the idea to spread all around Bulgaria and Europe as well. The strategy included organizing a number of events dedicated on this matter. The municipalities around the country could become key players in this initiative like setting free the access to Internet of all municipal properties and thus, allowing their citizens to use the Wi-Fi connections for free.