European Broadband Competence Offices Network Support Facility
Each year, the European BCO Network engages in an annual capacity building and knowledge exchange programme offered by a dedicated Support Facility established by the European Commission. The Annual Work Plan Summary provides an overview of the 2025-2026 programme, which encompasses a wide array of activities, including online and in-person events, training materials, publications and videos, tailored to address the BCOs’ needs.
Key topics
In 2025-2026, the programme will focus on the following key topics:
Policy and regulatory issues
These issues are related (but not limited) to:
- Europe’s Digital Decade;
- Shaping Europe’s Digital Future;
- Recovery and Resilience Facility;
- EU State aid rules;
- Gigabit Infrastructure Act;
- Submarine cables;
- Territorial coverage;
- The EU cybersecurity toolbox;
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding;
- 5G and Open Radio Access Networks (RAN);
- 5G quality of service;
- Satellite coverage;
- Digital skills;
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT);
- Connectivity and smart agriculture, notably robotics;
- Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital;
- Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) for Cloud and Infrastructure;
- The revised ‘Broadband Investment Handbook’.
Project planning
This implies providing guidance to BCOs on, among others:
- Design, implementation and monitoring of broadband schemes and projects;
- Stimulation and aggregation of bottom-up demand for high-speed broadband;
- Selection of business and investment models and financing structures;
- Information about state-of-the-art technology choices and infrastructure types;
- Obtaining State aid clearance.
Good practices
This implies sharing practical know-how and exchanging good practices across the EU.
5G and connectivity projects
This involves networking, promotion and good practice actions, particulary on 5G for smart communities and cross border/international connectivity projects.
Investment
This involves identifying, promoting and providing advice, as well as technical support, on investment opportunities for broadband network roll-out, in particular in market failure areas, such as rural, remote and sparsely populated areas and outermost regions.
This summary was developed 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.