1 Billion Broadband Euros from European Commission

As part of the European Economy Recovery Plan, European Commission presented last week an investment proposal of 5 billion euros in energy and broadband infrastructure sectors for the following 2 years. A 20% of the total budget (1 million) is targeted to extending and upgrade of rural broadband infrastructures in EU areas that are in most need of. The deadline for project admissions is the 30th June 2009 and the funds are projected to be released soon after (before the end of 2009). The types of operations that can be supported are:

• Creation of new broadband infrastructure including backhaul facilities (e.g. fixed, terrestrial wireless, satellite-based or combination of technologies);
• Upgrade of existing broadband infrastructure;
• Laying down passive broadband infrastructure (e.g.: civil engineering works such as ducts, and other network elements such as dark fibre, etc.) also in synergy with other infrastructures (energy, transport, water, sewerage networks etc.).

Although new projects are not ruled out, I think that currently active projects financed by Regional Development Funds are more likely to be the greatest beneficiaries of this extra funding. However, competency is required to preparation in this limited amount of time.

Read more in “Commission earmarks €1bn for investment in broadband – Frequently Asked Questions“.