As a society, we've become accustomed to seamless connectivity, where waiting more than five seconds for a webpage to load feels like an eternity. However, numerous parts of Europe tell a different story, especially in remote or rural areas where connectivity is suboptimal or non-existent. The stakes are higher than just accessing the latest memes or cat videos— reliable broadband connection is pivotal for the economic growth, social inclusion, access to essential services and technological progress of rural areas, significantly impacting the well-being of Europeans.
Enter the European Broadband Awards, a showcase of initiatives propelling Europe's digital landscape towards a new era of connectivity and innovation. The 8th edition, held in Brussels on November 21, 2023, put a light on projects that epitomise hard work in advancing broadband infrastructure and digital services across the EU. These awards underscore the collective ambition to bridge the digital divide, ensuring high-speed internet reaches even the most remote regions.
At the core of these celebrated projects is the crucial role played by the Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) Network. National and regional BCOs are a key building block within the European Commission's Digital Single Market strategy. The Commission supports national and regional BCOs through a dedicated support facility that helps stakeholders coalesce around the planning and implementation of Europe’s digital infrastructure.
The role of the European Regional Development Funds
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has been instrumental in transforming connectivity aspirations into tangible high-speed broadband realities, particularly in remote areas lacking private investors' interest. The ERDF financial support fuels infrastructure construction helps to develop digital skills, and access to services, fostering a holistic approach to digital transformation across diverse European communities. The ERDF facilitates the finding of viable solutions for broadband roll-out in condition of market-failure, proving once again the role of Cohesion Policy in levelling the playing field across diverse European territories.
Meet the Winner
A graphic example of the added value of the ERDF is provided by the Croatian project: "Broadband4Everyone”. The project from Croatia won the award for the “Demand generation and take-up of connectivity” category. This initiative stands as a testament to Croatia's efforts in addressing digital disparities, particularly in Solin and its surrounding areas within the Split-Dalmatia County. Targeting regions devoid of broadband infrastructure, this project embodies a crucial step toward boosting national coverage of very high-capacity networks (VHCN), employing fiber optic technology (FTTH) and mobile networks (4G and 5G).to supplyaround 3,000 addresses that were considered “white areas”. With over 90% of the project completed, it promises symmetrical speeds of up to 1 Gbps, aiming to provide reliable internet access to a considerable number of users in Solin. This improvement is set to foster economic development and bridging the digital gap in Croatia's landscape. With a budget close to€ 2M , predominantly funded by the ERDF, this project represents a significant stride towards equitable connectivity. The award acknowledged the potential societal impact this project heralds for Solin's residents and businesses.
A representative from the project, Ms Martina Dragicevic stated that “The project targets rural areas” and five municipalities in particular. “It is very important for the development of the whole area as public authorities, businesses and citizens will have the opportunity to improve their digital skills, digitally upgrade and foster a digital transformation”.
Projects supported by ERDF featured as finalists also in other categories. The Lithuanian project titled “Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure” was a contender for the category Innovative models of financing, business and investment. This innovative endeavor, led by the institution "Plačiajuostis internetas," aimed to bridge the digital divide by installing 1235 km of fiber-optic cables, constructing 25 communication towers, and integrating 310 infrastructure sites into a next-generation access network. The project targeted areas lacking modern internet infrastructure, installation of 10,000 passive GPON access points and essential network equipment sought to empower communities, businesses, and public entities with high-speed internet. A representative from the project, Eglė Misienė, commented on its importance for the so called white areas in Lithuania, noting how ERDF was crucial for its development, since scarcely populated, remote areas and the lack of efficient infrastructure were not attracting private operators. The project’s impact is now immediately tangible, with citizens able to work remotely and having access to online services like e-health initiatives.
The RO-NET project in Romania, had similar goals but an even more ambitious scope, as it concerned white areas across the entire country. Supported with nearly € 52 million in ERDF funding out of its total cost of € 76 million, the project meticulously laid 5,000 km of fiber and erected 6 radio towers, boasting download speeds of up to 10 Gbps—far surpassing the EC's 2030 requirement. The endeavor, spanning from 2014 to 2022 stands as a testament to connectivity innovation and societal upliftment. Beyond mere infrastructure, this effort positively impacted over 346,000 citizens, around 120,0000 households, and over 7,000 private companies. Targeting 695 rural localities strategically, the project interconnected public institutions like schools and town halls, injecting socio-educational growth into small communities. Impressively efficient, it recycled over 30% of existing infrastructure, significantly reducing investment costs. Mr Corneliu Manescu, a RO-NET representative present at the award ceremony echoed the Lithuanian project’s message by saying the goal was to “provide to rural areas with as good a service as urban areas”. In the case of Romania, the ERDF was instrumental in deploying key infrastructure in a context of market failure. The representative
RO-NET isn't just wires and towers; like many of the EU-funded projects at the EBA, it represents profound societal transformation, propelling rural regions into a future of technological advancement and prosperity.
The European Broadband awards featured in total 14 finalists across 5 categories that rewarded Innovative models of financing, Cost reduction measures, Socio-economic impact in rural and remote areas; Demand generation and take-up of connectivity and Quality and affordability of services.
In essence, these awards exemplified Europe's commitment to equitable digital access, ushering in an era of technological advancement, economic growth, and societal inclusivity. As these initiatives serve as guiding examples for member states, illustrating a digitally united Europe where innovation thrives, and connectivity is ubiquitous.
