Brussels, 08/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 8 February, the European Commission authorised the funding of a network designed to plug the digital divide in Lombardy. The trans-Alpine regime complies with the guidelines of the Commission on broadband. This regime is part of the effort made by the EU to make access to broadband internet available to all European citizens. An additional effort is underway to boost competition in areas with no private operators. The Commission states that public aid will be used solely to fund multi-fibre ducts and that access to these will be open to all interested investors, with no time limit.
Italy, like other countries of the EU, has experienced vast disparities in the field of broadband access. In rural or mountainous areas, top-quality broadband services are non-existent because these areas are commercially unattractive; yet they are available to all in areas of high population density. The aim of the Italian regime is to offer broadband access of 2 Mbps or more to at least 90% of the population in areas of Lombardy with no services, where current infrastructure is insufficient.
Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner with responsibility for competition, states in a press release: "Investment in broadband can contribute to fighting the economic crisis and to spurring economic growth". (V.L.B/transl.fl.)