Broadband infrastructure is indispensable for enabling modern digital services, from remote learning and working, to healthcare and entertainment. Many areas, however, remain underserved due to market failure, where there is little commercial incentive for broadband expansion. Here, strategic public intervention becomes crucial to overcoming the digital divide, explains Pietro Pantalissi, Policy Officer at the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), in this video.
The Broadband Investment Handbook is an essential guide created by the European Commission to support public authorities and stakeholders in planning and executing broadband projects across Europe. It serves as a comprehensive resource outlining the key questions and considerations for anyone looking to invest in broadband infrastructure:
- Key concepts
- Preparing an effective broadband plan
- Investment models
- Infrastructure types and technology evolution
- Business models
- Financing tools
- Action plan and execution
- Broadband investment and State aid
While offering insights and practical answers, it also presents the pros and cons of various models, allowing decision-makers to choose the best fit for their specific needs and circumstances. Leveraging the European Commission’s extensive experience in broadband project assessment, the Handbook is a unique tool that provides practical explanations on how state aid can facilitate effective and legally compliant network deployment.
With the Commission's goal of providing all European citizens with one Gigabit connectivity by 2030, the Broadband Investment Handbook is a vital tool to help bring the necessary infrastructure and quality of service to all communities, and in particular those experiencing market failure.
This video was filmed as part of the European Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) Network’s work to raise awareness of EU support for high-speed broadband deployment and share good practices in broadband projects. Discover more interviews in the BCO Network YouTube playlist and more broadband good practices, news and resources in the BCO Network Library.