The European Commission plans to make Europe the most connected continent by 2030, so we can enjoy the opportunities that the digital transition brings.
To benefit from digital technologies, innovation, and opportunities in the digital world you need a fast and strong internet connection. Gigabit connectivity is key for using connected devices, cloud, augmented and virtual reality, and artificial intelligence for personal or industrial use. We want Europe to be the most connected continent in the world by 2030.
Gigabit Connectivity
Fast, secure and efficient networks are essential for Europe to lead the digital transition.
To support growing needs for very fast connections, Europe will have to invest, extend and upgrade its infrastructure to gigabit networks everywhere.
The EU set a course for the 2030 Digital Decade: make gigabit connectivity available for all citizens and businesses.
New actions to deliver gigabit connectivity
The Gigabit Infrastructure Act entered into force in May 2024. It aims to reduce costs for a faster rollout of gigabit networks (≥ 1 Gbps speeds) and improve the environmental footprint of electronic communications networks.
The Gigabit Recommendation provides guidelines for national regulators to use the tools at their disposal to protect competition, while incentivising faster network deployment and rewarding investments.
Connectivity: The backbone of EU digital ambitions
To stay ahead of transformative technological developments, we need to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place and that funding is adequate and effective.
Fast, secure, and widespread connectivity is essential for the deployment of the technologies that will bring us into tomorrow’s world.
Connected mobility
Personalised healthcare/telemedecine
Artificial intelligence
Internet of Things (IoT)
Cloud computing
Smart buildings
Edge computing
Smart factories
2030 targets
Gigabit connectivity for everyone
High speed connectivity (at least 5G) everywhere
10,000 cloud edge nodes for fast data access
EU quantum computing by 2025
EU to produce 20% of the world’s semiconductors
White Paper: How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs
The White Paper on the digital infrastructure of tomorrow sets out the scenarios to reach our connectivity targets before it is too late.
The telecoms sector is facing many challenges when it comes to the deployment of the latest generation of networks.
Investment needs of more than €200bn
Fragmented single market, lack of scale
Risk of dependency on non-EU providers
Need to build up industrial capacities
Uncoordinated management of spectrum
The White Paper addresses these by
Introducing the 'Connected Collaborative Computing' Network ('3C Network') to develop integrated connectivity and collaborative computing infrastructures
Achieving a seamless digital single market with an updated regulatory framework based on level playing field
Fostering a more integrated governance at Union level for spectrum
Accelerating the copper switch-off by 2030, and fostering the efficiency and sustainability of digital networks
Joint Communication to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables
This Joint Communication highlights the need to significantly enhance the EU’s submarine cable infrastructure, with four objectives:
Prevention: to reduce the number and impact of disruptive incidents and make it more difficult for any malicious actor to put the security of the Union at risk.
Detection: rapid and real-time detection has proven to be one of the foundations to counter sabotage against submarine cables.
Response and Recovery: reducing time to respond and repair will strength resilience and act as deterrence.
Deterrence: the EU intends to raise costs on the side of malicious actors, with tools to qualify, prove, attribute formally and sanction sabotaging actions.
