A new Connecting Europe Broadband Fund intends to invest in broadband infrastructure across under-served areas of Europe. It was announced in December 2016 by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.

The new EU Fund will lead to an investment platform combining private and public resources to finance smaller-scale, higher-risk broadband projects across Europe – many of which are likely be in rural areas. The new Fund will aim to invest in seven to 12 projects between its operational launch in mid-2017 and 2021.