Description / Explanation
EstWin strives for construction of more than 6 000 km of fibre-optical cables and 1 400 connection points. The construction of the middle mile network ensures that 98% of the residential houses, businesses and authorities in Estonia are located closer than 1.5 km from the middle mile network. The development of the backbone network stimulates the development of an access network. The dark fibre backbone network is public-owned; circa 15 operators are working on the network. This is an example of a large scale investment providing the backbone of the future-proof fibre-based network.
Basic information
Project type
Organisational
Technical
Financial
Time frame
01/06/2010 to 31/12/2018
Country
Estonia
Scope
national
Project submitted by
Name
Priit Soom
Organisation
Estonian Broadband Development Foundation
Function
General Manager
Phone
+3726310558
Email
Infrastructure & Service
Speed / performance
≥100 Mbps
Infrastructure, technology and architecture
Passive optical network, as it offers low maintenance costs and for a long lifetime. Depending on active equipment used, speed of at least 100 Mbps is a requirement for the passive network, which fibre exceeds by far.
Financing
Cost structure and financing sources
The private foundation has been used, special entity designated only for this project - to build and maintain the middle mile network in market failure areas. The Estonian Broadband Development Foundation was founded in the initiative of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and by the members of Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL). The initial mapping was carried out by ITL members to define a scope to the project. The Ministry and regulator helped to identify the market failure areas and to put together a possible financing scheme. The project (at all stages) has been financed from European Union's Structural Funds and by loans taken by the Foundation.
Scalability
Actors involved and their roles
The Estonian Broadband Development Foundation was founded in the initiative of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and by the members of Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL). These are main actors involved as well. Financing from European Union's Structural Funds has been granted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Unique characteristics
Optical network is being built with close to 2000 access points for fixed networks in a very low density rural area. All parts of the network are used at least by one operator (usually 2 or more).
Success factors
Main factors for success are establishing the Estonian Broadband Development Foundation, good Public Private Partnership through all stages of the Project. Crucial factor is involvement of different interest groups - state institutions, local governments, operators etc.
Business model
public DBO
Project review
Results
Close to 4 100 km of middle mile optical network has been built, with more than 1 400 access points in network nodes. Additionally there are approximately 400 access points in local government buildings, which are suitable for small operators to provide their services. There are manholes and cabinets at every couple of kilometres, which are possible access points as well. An estimated 150 000 Estonians enjoy the benefits (better broadband speeds) of the project via mobile or fixed networks.