On Wednesday 2 December, the European Commission launched a public consultation, as part of the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014/61/EU), to gather views on incentives for the deployment of fast broadband networks, including fibre and 5G. This consultation is open until 2 March 2021.
The Directive, introduced in 2014, supports the establishment of fast electronic communication networks for people throughout the EU by reducing the associated costs. However, the Commission considers that its update has become necessary due to technological market and regulatory developments, including the Electronic Communications Code (2018/1972). This modernisation must also support the EU’s 2025 connectivity targets and its ‘gigabit society’, as Europe faces an investment gap of €65 billion per year for digital infrastructure and networks alone, according to Commission figures.
“Faster, better and more secure connectivity has become essential for all of us to work, learn, do business, innovate and interact. The sustainable roll-out of fibre, 5G and other fast networks must not be delayed by administrative obstacles or the inability to exploit synergies with already existing infrastructures”, said the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton.
The Commission has already published an initial impact assessment on 19 June 2020, informing citizens and stakeholders about the Commission’s plans.
A summary of the responses to the public consultation will be published in April and, according to the provisional timetable, the proposal for a Directive is expected in the last quarter of 2021.
Initial impact assessment: https://bit.ly/2VyDd1z and link to the consultation: https://bit.ly/2JwXlP1 (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)