Consultation and discussion forum on the EU’s 2030 Digital Decade vision (22/06/2021)
The Commission launched a consultation and a discussion forum in view of preparing the Digital Decade policy programme, building upon the Communication on the Digital targets for 2030.
“In our journey to digital maturity, affordable high-speed broadband is key for a dynamic digital economy and an accessible and inclusive digital society” states Stelios Himonas of Cyprus’ Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. Only 2.7% of households in Cyprus, however, have fixed connections above 100 Mbps. In this video, Mr Himonas explains how Cyprus implemented a ‘good practice’ voucher scheme, inspired by the European Broadband Competence Offices Network. By reducing the cost of access for end users, the scheme successfully stimulated take-up by around 3,000 households.
Achieving agricultural sustainability through the Farm Advisory System and rural digitalisation (18/06/2021)
The Farm Advisory System makes innovative knowledge and practices accessible to all farmers. “We are facing a major transformation of the agricultural sector that requires a shift towards more environmentally-friendly practices without undermining economic sustainability” explains Tassos Haniotis, Director of Strategy, Simplification and Policy Analysis in the European Commission’s Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. Digitalisation and rural broadband are crucial, enhancing knowledge exchange and creating multiplier effects, such as new jobs and services in rural areas.
Spain’s nation-wide State aid scheme to connect 430,000 people in grey areas (18/06/2021)
“Spain is the first European country to develop a broadband scheme for grey areas with a geographical scope covering all the nation” states Elena Galindo from Spain’s Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda, in this video. Ms Galindo, representing Spain’s national Broadband Competence Office, explains that the scheme is needed as approximately “8-10% of the population living in isolated rural and remote areas could not be covered with fast broadband”. It aims to cover 3.5 million people, of which 430,000 in grey areas, with minimum speeds of 300 Mbps symmetrical, upgradeable to 1 Gbps.
Rural connectivity for the health and management of beehives (18/06/2021)
In rural Latvia, an EU-funded start-up is using digital connectivity to promote healthy bee colonies and modern hive management. Thanks to €15,000 in LEADER funding covering two thirds of the total budget, Jānis Kronbergs developed the BeeKing app, which aims to help beekeepers – and especially newcomers – to learn from others, implement best practices and become more efficient. In this video, he explains the tool as well as its motivation, saying that “bees are very important for our nature, for pollination and biodiversity” and digital technologies can help beekeepers stay competitive.
New digital data highway linking Europe and Latin America renews transatlantic cooperation (01/06/2021)
The EllaLink transatlantic cable connecting the European and South American continents was inaugurated during the Digital Assembly 2021.
This marks the official closing of the connectivity gap thanks to 6,000 kilometres of submarine cable, reducing the current latency by 50% and bringing it under 60 milliseconds.
Workshop on Broadband Cost Reduction Directive: preliminary results of study for its review (16/06/2021)
On two occasions, on 16 and 18 of June, WIK-Consult, together with ICF and Eco-Act, the contractors in charge of the study for the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD), are organising a public online workshop to gather and discuss views on the preliminary results of their study.
From industrialised areas to rural regions, WiFi4EU is reaching municipalities from the length and breadth of Europe. Take a look at the maps of WiFi4EU beneficiaries from all calls!
Digital Alps conference, 27-28 May (27/05/2021)
The online Digital Alps conference, 27-28 May, will focus on digital infrastructures, accessibility to services as well as on Open Data in the Alpine region. Gerard de Graaf, Director of Digital Transformation at DG Connect, European Commission, will deliver a key note on the importance of digitalization for all regions in Europe in a post-Covid world. Franco Accordino, Head of Unit for Investment in High-Capacity Networks, DG CONNECT, European Commission, will speak about the Connectivity for the Alpine Region: European Perspectives and Funding Programmes.
SmartCare: using ICT to enable older people to live independently for longer (18/05/2021)
SmartCare is an EU-funded interregional project developing a coordinated, integrated approach to providing health and social care to older people using an open ICT platform to combat a range of common threats to independent living. The Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of ten regions piloting the project, thanks to €8 million in co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund. In this video, Gian Matteo Apuzzo, CEI-WHO Task Force Senior Expert, explains the pilot deployment in his region and how it can improve health and social care, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Connectivity Toolbox: Member States agree on best practices to boost timely deployment of 5G and fibre networks (26/03/2021)
EU Member States have agreed on a Union-wide Connectivity Toolbox, a report of best practices that they consider most efficient in rolling out fixed and mobile very high-capacity networks, including 5G.
WiFi4EU to have a new home in HaDEA (08/04/2021)
As of 1 April 2021, the new European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) will take over the implementation of the WiFi4EU programme from the current Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Mayor of Villány, Hungary (03/03/2021)
Known as one of Hungary’s capitals of wine, Villány is a municipality located in the southernmost region of the country and it gives name to the renowned red wine. Underneath its sun-kissed vineyards lies Villány’s knack for digital tourism and commitment to becoming a Smart City. The WiFi4EU team spoke with Mayor István Mayer and Deputy Gabriella Bojcsev to discover more about how WiFi4EU fits in the digital plan of the town.
Europe moves towards 6G (04/03/2021)
The Commission has adopted a legislative proposal for the upcoming European partnership on Smart Networks and Services (SNS) towards 6G.
Summary report of the online participatory workshop – Network deployment: drivers and barriers (05/03/2021)
This report summarises the informal views expressed by participants on new drivers for network deployment, on persisting problems and proposed solutions and on permit-granting procedures.
Commission welcomes agreement on the Connecting Europe Facility to fund greener, more sustainable transport and energy networks, and digitalisation (12/03/2021)
The European Commission welcomes the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) proposal, worth €33.7 billion, as part of the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027.
2030 Digital Compass: Gigabit for everyone, 5G in all populated areas (16/03/2021)
The Commission presented a vision for Europe’s digital transformation by 2030 and sets specific targets in four cardinal points, secure and sustainable digital infrastructures is one of them.
Concretely, by 2030, all European households should be covered by a Gigabit network and all populated areas by 5G. Such excellent and secure connectivity is a prerequisite for a society in which every business and citizen can fully participate. This vision continues on the track set in 2016 by the Commission Communication Towards a European Gigabit society with enhanced level of ambitions for digital.
Summary report - Workshop on Institutional aspects of network deployment (18/03/2021)
This report summarises the informal views expressed by participants on institutional aspects linked to network deployment. Their views were gathered during the online participatory workshop of 22 February 2021 organised as part of the consultation activities foreseen for the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD).
Deploying 5G connectivity in the North Sea: Bay of Germany (18/03/2021)
In order to bring significant improvement to the digitalisation of the cargo and cruising industry in the North of Europe, the German regional Broadband Competence Office (BCO) of Lower Saxony launched a mobile connectivity project deploying 5G infrastructure in the Bay of Germany in the North Sea. As Peer Beyersdorff explains in this video, conditions at sea and the Earth’s curvature make mobile telecommunication challenging. The project serves one of the busiest sea routes in the world, enabling safer passage, more reliable communication and important services for both trade and tourism.
Rede Aberta: Spain’s first CEBF-funded broadband project (18/03/2021)
Rede Aberta is the first Spanish broadband project to be funded by the Connecting Europe Broadband Fund (CEBF). To promote economic growth, stop depopulation and rejuvenate the population of rural Galicia, the open access network will bring 10 Gbps symmetrical fibre connectivity to 400,000 homes. In this video, Pere Antentas, Rede Aberta CEO, explains that the project will help the population take advantage of the area’s “enormous growth potential” and natural resources. It “will allow the telecommunication networks and services to be at the same level as the ones in the big cities of Europe”.
Women farmers drive digital transformation in rural areas (18/03/2021)
With 30% of EU farms being managed by women, these farmers are key in driving the digital transformation of rural areas. As explained by Lotta Folkesson, an arable farmer in northern Sweden, high-speed connectivity is needed to allow the use of cutting edge technology in both agriculture and forestry, as well for everyday management. On top of this, it enables entrepreneurship and allows remote area inhabitants to connect with the wider community. “With good infrastructure, we will have a stronger farming community as well as better conditions to attract more people to rural areas”.
WiFi4EU - Free Wi-Fi connectivity across Europe (27/01/2021)
What is WiFi4EU? Where can I find it? What are the benefits of free access to connectivity? Learn more about the initiative in the new WiFi4EU video!
WiFi4EU countries: Hungary (01/02/2021)
Hungary has been awarded 325 WiFi4EU vouchers. Learn more about how free connectivity is benefitting citizens of all ages and contributing to the digitisation of the tourism industry.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Mayor of Akranes, Iceland (10/02/2021)
The municipality of Akranes is an Icelandic gem nestled between two fjords. Thanks to WiFi4EU, residents and tourists can enjoy free access to connectivity when admiring the city's main attraction, including the famous Akranes Folk Museum.
Extension of installation period for all WiFi4EU beneficiaries (16/02/2021)
Given the confinement and social distancing measures still in place in several Member States, the European Commission has decided to grant an extension of the installation period to all WIFi4EU beneficiaries in order to allow every concerned municipality to complete their projects.
Multi-orbital secure and resilient space connectivity for EU (24/02/2021)
Commissioner Breton launches work towards a secure space-based connectivity system. The initiative will enhance and connect both current and future critical infrastructures, including terrestrial networks, and provide high-speed broadband and digital services throughout Europe, removing dead zones. The system is to ensure cohesion across Member State territories in an independent and secure way, even in case of failure of other existing systems. The high-end technology, resilient infrastructure, sovereign rules and standards will strengthen Europe’s leading position in the world.
Global environmental monitoring requires good connectivity (24/02/2021)
Copernicus – the EU’s Earth Observation and Monitoring Programme – analyses our planet and its environment for the benefit of European citizens. Large volumes of data flow in from satelites, land and marine systems and provide important insights on weather modelling, climate change and more to both public and private entities, for free. To do this, Copernicus relies heavily on good connectivity, as described by Dr. Fernando Belda-Esplugues in this video.
EU Member States present report of best practices on fast network rollout, a first step towards the Connectivity Toolbox (18/12/2020)
On 18 December, EU Member States presented a report that compiles their proposed best practices for cutting the cost of network rollout and for providing timely access to radio spectrum for 5G. Today’s report marks the first step towards developing the Toolbox of best practices, following the Commission’s Recommendation from September 2020. The report gathers the measures, which Member States reported as the most efficient in those two areas, identifying main trends and providing the finest examples for improving connectivity.
New EU telecom rules: latest actions in time for transposition deadline (21/12/2020)
21 December marked the deadline for Member States to transpose the new EU telecom rules into national law. The European Electronic Communications Code, which entered into force in December 2018, modernises the European regulatory framework for electronic communications, to enhance consumer's choices and rights, ensure higher standards of communication services, as well as boost investment for more connectivity and more digital innovation.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Director of Service & Innovation of Reykjavík, Iceland (13/01/2021)
In Reykjavík, capital city of Iceland, WiFi4EU had emerged as perfect complement to the municipality's plan to put "digital first" and connect all residents. The new free Wi-Fi network will also benefit tourists, who will not have to face expensive roaming fees.
Recovery and Resilience Facility template for broadband is published (22/01/2021)
The European Commission has published eleven state aid guiding templates to assist Member States in the design of their national recovery and resilience plans in line with EU State aid rules. The Recovery and Resilience Facility template for broadband (deployment and take-up of fixed and mobile very high capacity networks, including 5G and fibre networks) provides extensive guidance on important matters, including how to design market conform public investment. The Commission will treat measures that do constitute State aid and require individual approval as a matter of priority.
Consultation on an extension of the General Block Exemption Regulation (22/01/2021)
The Commission is consulting Member States on a possible extension of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) to further facilitate the implementation of the InvestEU programme, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as well as of other EU and national funds targeting the recovery and the achievement of the digital and green objectives of the EU. The GBER declares specific categories of State aid compatible with the Treaty and exempts these categories from the requirement of prior notification and approval by the Commission, so that they can be immediately implemented by Member States.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with the Mayor of Lapinjärvi, Finland (29/01/2021)
The Finnish municipality of Lapinjärvi has channeled the EUR 15,000 WiFi4EU voucher towards improved services for children and the elderly in order to involve all age groups in the digital transformation.
2021 Work Plan Summary of the European Broadband Competence Offices Network Support Facility (27/01/2021)
2021 is the final year of the first phase of the BCO Network: the European Commission initiative to support Member States to reach the connectivity targets and ensure high-speed broadband access for all citizens. The work plan for this year will seek to reinforce and expand the capacity of European BCOs to meet these objectives, while increasing recognition of their mandate within their national contexts, and strengthening their collaborative relationship with the European Commission.
Public consultation on the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (02/12/2020)
The Broadband Cost Reduction Directive aims to facilitate and incentivise the roll-out of high-speed electronic communications networks by lowering the costs of deployment with a set of harmonised measures. This public consultation aims to gather stakeholders’ views and inputs on the implementation of the Directive to support the analysis of the backward-looking evaluation as well as to support forward-looking policy options.
WiFi4EU countries: France (01/12/2020)
France has been awarded 762 WiFi4EU vouchers. Learn more about how municipalities capitalised on free connectivity to bridge the digital divide and connect rural and remote territories
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Local Council of Aiton, Romania (08/12/2020)
Thanks to the commitment to improve access to connectivity and the support of the population, the Romanian municipality of Aiton is among the first winners of the fourth WIFi4EU call to complete the installation of the network.
Year in review: WiFi4EU in 2020 (17/12/2020)
As we wrap up the year, we would like to share with you the WiFi4EU highlights of 2020.
Upcoming online participatory workshops on network deployment: drivers, barriers and solutions (17/12/2020)
DG Connect is organising the first online participatory workshop to discuss very high-capacity network deployment on 27 January 2021, as part of the consultation activities linked to the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD).
The European Broadband Competence Offices Network in 2020 (22/12/2020)
In 2020, the mandate of the European Broadband Competence Offices (BCOs) Network gained in urgency. As a large portion of European citizens and businesses moved their activities online, disparities in connectivity became a true issue of inequality, where many, especially in rural and remote areas, face a real obstacle to essential participation in the virtual ecosystem of our ‘new normal’.
Connectivity for sustainable agriculture (22/12/2020)
Innovative digital technologies are increasingly fundamental to agricultural production and sustainability. From a food supply perspective alone, there is an urgent need to optimise farming practices. According to the FAO, the world’s population will grow over a third by 2050. These people will need homes and space to live, so while farms will need to produce 60% more food, they will not be able to expand outwards to do so. Further to this, climate change will add to the strain on other important resources. In essence, farmers will need to produce more, using less: through precision farming.
Optimising Recovery and Resilience Facility funding for connectivity (22/12/2020)
Broadband Competence Offices will play a catalytic role in ensuring that the digital budget of the Recovery and Resilience Fund will reach the market and end in long-term and robust investments. At a webinar on ‘Telecom’s Role in the Recovery: Infrastructure, Innovation and Sustainability’, organised by the Financial Times, Jan Dröge, Team Lead of the BCO Network Support Facility, together with Anthony Whelan, Digital Policy Adviser to the European Commission President, outlined the most important factors that Member States should take into account in order for the Fund to be most effective.
European Commission Broadband Policy Update at "Governmental Day" Workshop in the frame of the FTTH Conference 2020 in Berlin (02/12/2020)
Franco Accordino, Head of Unit "Investment in High-Capacity Networks" at European Commission, DG Connect, will open the online "Governmental Day" Workshop and give a broadband policy update. atene KOM and the FTTH Council Europe are organising the sixth "Governmental Day" Workshop on 2 December in the frame of the FTTH Conference 2020.
ENISA: Addressing security risks in 5G networks (26/10/2020)
As “5G’s great potential brings some security challenges”, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity – ENISA – has published a study on the “Threat landscape for 5G networks” as well as contributed to the “EU 5G Toolbox”. In this video interview, Dr. Louis Marinos, ENISA Senior Risk Management Expert, explains the key measures and recommendations for creating and running secure 5G networks.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Mayor of Skiathos, Greece (10/11/2020)
For the stunning Greek municipality of Skiathos, the EUR 15,000 WiFi4EU voucher came as a great opportunity to improve connectivity and promote the cultural heritage and natural beauties of the area.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Offaly County Council, Ireland (23/11/2020)
In County Offaly, the European Commission, the Irish government and the County Council are coming together to install WiFi4EU hotspots and ensure access to connectivity for all citizens.
Fibre is the most energy efficient broadband technology (24/11/2020)
A study launched in 2017 by Europacable has found that fibre is the most energy efficient technology for broadband access networks, compared with DSL, xDSL, vectoring and DOCSIS. Per capita per year, performing at 50 Mbps, fibre networks consume 56 kWh compared to 88 kWh for DOCSIS – a carbon emission equivalent of 1.7 tons for fibre compared to 2.7 tons for DOCSIS. The higher the speed of connectivity, the greater the difference in energy consumption. Fibre’s reliance on fewer intermediate devices and amplifiers than other technologies facilitates its energy efficiency.
Commission Recommendation on a common Union toolbox for reducing the cost of deploying very high capacity networks and ensuring timely and investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrum (18/09/2020)
The Commission has published a Recommendation calling Member States to boost investment in very high-capacity broadband connectivity infrastructure, including 5G, which is the most fundamental block of the digital transformation and an essential pillar of the recovery. The timely deployment of 5G networks will offer significant economic opportunities for the years to come, as a crucial asset for European competitiveness, sustainability and a major enabler for future digital services.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with ICT Manager of Thermaikos, Greece (24/09/2020)
Proud winner of the second WiFi4EU Call, the Greek municipality of Thermaikos has leveraged the EUR 15,000 voucher to develop digital services and upgrade digital infrastructure in the area.
Thierry Breton: Connecting Europe with the next Digital Decade (28/09/2020)
During the pandemic, we all turned – to some extent – to digital. Confinement boosted teleconsultations. Businesses found new ways to collaborate with employees and reach customers. Teachers explored platforms to engage with their scattered classrooms. Through our screens, we shared laughs and extended comfort.
Network connectivity is the foundation of the digital landscape. 20% of NextGenerationEU, the EU’s recovery package, should be in invested in digital. It keeps us together. We need to strengthen that foundation today, for the upcoming Digital Decade.
WiFi4EU stories: an interview with Mayor of Rokiškis District, Lithuania (14/10/2020)
The municipality of Rokiškis is one of the 48 Lithuanian winners of the WiFi4EU initiative and is now proudly offering free access to connectivity to locals and visitors all year round.
Broadband Coverage in Europe 2019 (16/10/2020)
This study is designed to monitor the progress of EU Member States towards their specific broadband coverage objectives, namely "Universal Broadband Coverage with speeds at least 30 Mbps by 2020" and "50% of households should have broadband subscriptions of 100 Mbps or more by 2020".
State aid: Commission invites comments on State aid rules for the deployment of broadband networks (08/09/2020)
The European Commission has launched a public consultation inviting Member States and other stakeholders to provide their views and comments on the existing EU State aid rules on public support for the deployment of broadband networks. The public consultation is part of an overall evaluation by the Commission of the relevant rules with a view to assess whether they are still fit purpose or whether they will need to be updated in light of recent technological and market developments. All interested parties can respond to the public consultation until 5 January 2021.
The Connecting Europe Broadband Fund continues to progress both in terms of investments and fundraising (23/10/2020)
The Connecting Europe Broadband Fund (CEBF) contributes to the achievement of the European Gigabit Society objectives mainly in underserved areas. The fund, which had its first closing in June 2018 with EUR 420 million of committed capital, had a second closing in July 2020, with two new institutional investors joining for a total of EUR 50 million, hence raising the total assets of the fund one step closer to the original target of EUR 500 million. By providing the initial capital needed by project promoters, the CEBF helps them getting additional financing and expand their project further.
