The Gigabit Infrastructure Act: reducing costs and complexity of broadband deployment

Gigabit connectivity is necessary in order to make present and future applications and services possible and accessible. In recognition of the significant investments needed to make this available to all citizens, the European Commission has proposed the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), to replace the 2014 Broadband Cost Reduction Directive.

As highlighted by Kamila Kloc, although public funding supports such investments, the majority come from the private sector, and the greatest costs relate to civil infrastructure, such as ducts.

The GIA will not only support reducing costs; it will also reduce the complexity of procedures. As Ms Kloc highlights, it will enable rapid, streamlined and online permit granting; better coordination of works between energy, utility and telecom companies; different operators’ access to ducts on fair and reasonable terms; and that new and majorly renovated buildings are already equipped with fibre.

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.