On Wednesday 12 January, the European Commission launched its first call to tender for the digital component of the Connecting Europe Facility.
With a budget of €258 million, these tenders should be used to improve digital connectivity infrastructures. The focus will be on the deployment of 5G across the EU.
Equipping major transport networks and key service providers in local communities with 5G is also part of the objectives, as is the establishment of operational digital platforms for transport and energy infrastructure across the EU.
In addition, the calls will address the development of federated cloud services and digital gateways such as submarine cables.
These calls for proposals follow the adoption in December 2021 of the first Digital Agenda of the Connecting Europe Facility, which is providing over €1 billion in funding for the period 2021-2023.
These calls are open to all entities established in the EU Member States. An information day for interested applicants on the evaluation and award process will take place on 19 January. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)