Gigabit infrastructure to transform EU connectivity
Internet - technology - Image by mohamed Hassan on Pixabay
(BRUSSELS) - The EU Commission presented a set of actions Thursday to make Gigabit connectivity available to all across the EU by 2030, with a view to enabling "transformation of the connectivity sector" in the EU.
The initiatives on connectivity consist of:
- First, a proposal for a 'Gigabit Infrastructure Act', a regulation that will put forward new rules to enable faster, cheaper and more effective rollout of Gigabit networks across the EU.
- Second, a draft Gigabit Recommendation, which seeks to provide guidance to National Regulatory Authorities on the conditions of access to telecom networks of operators with significant market power, in order to incentivise faster switch-off of legacy technologies and accelerated Gigabit networks deployment.
- Third, the Commission has launched an exploratory consultation on the future of the connectivity sector and its infrastructure, to gather views on how increasing demands for connectivity and technological advances may affect the future developments and needs.
The Gigabit Infrastructure Act responds to the growing demand for faster, more reliable, data-intense connectivity, and will replace the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014).
The Act aims to overcome the challenge of slow and costly deployment of underlying physical infrastructure sustaining advanced Gigabit networks. It will reduce red tape and the costs and administrative burden associated with the deployment of Gigabit networks. It will also simplify and digitalise permitting procedures. The new regulation will also enhance the coordination of civil works between network operators to deploy the underlying physical infrastructure, such as ducts and masts, and ensure that the relevant actors obtain access to it. Such works represent up to 70% of the costs of network deployment. All new or majorly renovated buildings, except in justified cases, are to be equipped with fibre so that citizens can enjoy the fastest connectivity services.
The European Parliament and the Council will now examine the proposed Regulation. When adfopted by the co-legislators the new rules will be directly applicable in all EU Member States.
A draft Gigabit Recommendation focuses on providing guidance to National regulatory authorities (NRAs) about the conditions for accessing the networks of those operators who have significant market power. It aims to ensure all operators can access such existing network infrastructure, when appropriate. This would ensure an adequate regulatory environment, incentivise the switch-off of legacy technologies without undue delay, i.e. within 2 to 3 years, and foster fast Gigabit network deployment, for example by promoting pricing flexibility for access to regulated networks, while enabling sustainable competition.
The draft Recommendation has been sent to the Body of European Regulators (BEREC) for a two-month consultation. After taking into account the opinion of BEREC, the Commission will adopt its final Recommendation. The Gigabit Recommendation will replace the Access Recommendations, consisting of the Next Generation Access Recommendation (2010) and the Non-discrimination and Costing Methodology Recommendation (2013).
Also today, the Commission launched a broad exploratory consultation on the future of the connectivity sector and its infrastructure. The aim is to gather views on the changing technological and market landscape and how it may affect the sector for electronic communications.
In particular, it seeks to identify the types of infrastructure needed for Europe to keep ahead of transformative technological developments and to lead its digital transformation in the coming years. The consultation also seeks stakeholders' views on how to ensure that the investments required to roll out such infrastructure are timely mobilised across the Union. The Commission stresses it is strongly committed to protecting a neutral and open internet.
Finally, the consultation covers the issue on how to ensure affordability of connectivity for consumers and how to progress towards a more integrated Single Market for the connectivity sector.
All interested organisations, businesses and citizens are invited to complete the survey within 12 weeks. The deadline for submitting a contribution is 19 May 2023. The Commission will report on the results. Based on the outcome of the consultation, it will consider the most appropriate actions for the future of the electronic communications sector.
New EU Gigabit infrastructure to transform Europe's connectivity sector - guide