The EU’s Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) enters into effect on 12 November, with the aim of making fast and advanced connectivity widely available across the European Union.
The Act’s new rules will tackle persisting challenges that operators encounter when setting up infrastructure. The act further aims to reduce costs and complexities in the deployment of fibre and 5G networks in the EU.
According to the European Commission, these future-proof networks are needed to support the innovative services rapidly developing with the use of artificial intelligence and cloud computing among others.
The act focuses on simplifying complex procedures and making telecom network expansion faster. Key features include more infrastructure sharing and better coordination of civil works among operators, as well as enabling network installation together with other public works.
Other important aspects of the new rules include: digitalising procedures for permits to install infrastructure, making available information on existing physical infrastructure and planned civil works.
GIA also leverages the building renovation wave by equipping new structures and those undergoing major renovation with fibre-ready in-building physical infrastructure and fibre wiring.
The Gigabit Infrastructure Act generally applies as of today in the EU Member States, except for some provisions that will apply in a few months’ time. The Commission is working closely with Member States and The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) on the application of these new rules.
